ARMENIA - Garni

Along the road from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gerhard Monastery lies Garni. This village has an ancient history and is best known for the Hellenistic Garni Temple, built more than a thousand year ago.



There is an entrance fee to the Garni Temple. Can’t remember how much it cost, but its inexpensive.



In 2011, The Historical and Cultural Museum-Reservation of Garni was awarded by UNESCO the Melina Mercouri International Prize for the safeguarding and management of cultural landscape.



Some description of Garni on the board.



The temple is located inside a fortress complex.



Believed to be built in 77 AD and was dedicated to Mihr, the sun god in the Zoroastrian influenced Armenian mythology.



Instead of exploring another famous Armenian monastery, this temple sure is different to the buildings I have been to for the passed few days in Armenia. A sigh of relief actually.



The monument of Alexander Sahinian overlooking Garni Gorge. Sahinian and his team was responsible for the reconstruction of Garni Temple in 1968.



Yep, the temple was completely destroyed in a devastating earthquake in 1679. The reconstruction took about 8 years and was completed in 1976.



According to this board, this temple known as The Temple of Mihr, was constructed without mortar and is a unique preserved architectural monument from the antique (Roman) period not only in Armenia but also in the region.



Well, it it seems that this is the only Greco-Roman building in Armenia and in fact, in the whole of the former Soviet Union.



Hmm…it sure does look like the Parthenon in Acropolis, Athens.



I have not actually been to the Acropolis, but I will be going there this summer…haha! Can’t wait for summer to come.



The internal view of the Garni Temple. A bit disappointed as it is small. It is believed that the statue of mythical god Mihr once stood here.



The outside architecture looks more impressive.





Took a few pictures of the temple.





Other than just looking at the temple….



…..you can marvel at the beautiful surrounding mountains.



The canyon of the Azat river.



Ain’t the view just beautiful.



Located 50 meters from the temple is the Royal bath house.



Hot air from a central furnace passed under the structure’s floors heating the hot water bathing room. As it cooled, it passed under the bathroom for warm water baths. Finally, the by-now cool air reached the bathroom, intended for cold water baths.



A description of the bath house for further reading.



That’s it. I have finished my tour around the Garni Fortress Complex.



Our guide, Tigran setting up his camera for a group shot. He sure looks like Mr. Bean.



My beau posing in front of the temple.



Look, the temple of Garni in my beau’s hands.



The fortress of Garni and the temple sure is an interesting visit. Not much time is needed to explore here, unless you want to investigate every nook and cranny. After visiting Garni, I headed to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.