From Paganism to Christianity: Garni – Symphony of Stones by Geghard

Welcome to Armenia!
Garni is a village in Armenia, 28 km from Yerevan in Kotayk region, in the valley of the Azat River. The population is 7,215. Famous primarily restored from ruins in Soviet times pagan temple I century AD, which is an elegant peripter Hellenistic-Roman type. On the site of pagan temples Christian churches were built.

The temple of Garni remained intact thanks to the sister of King Trdat III, who was called Khosrovdukht. She asked her brother not to destroy the Garni temple because it was very important to her. The king responded to his sister’s prayers and ordered to limit himself to the destruction of images of pagan gods. The temple of Mihra was rebuilt five times. The temple of Garni of the ancient period was built in the first century. Garni temple was rebuilt from the ruins five times, of course, the causes of the destruction were different.

The 24 pillars of the temple symbolize 24 hours a day, and the steps leading to the temple are so large and insurmountable that it is hard to believe that there were only nine. The height of the steps is also not accidental. Even the largest and tallest man, climbing to the temple, is forced to bow, overcoming each step. Solemn ascent to the temple requires a slow rhythm. It is impossible to climb these steps jumping, you have to bow and think.

Unique architectural structure included in the UNESCO list
Geghard - the old name Ayrivank is also used, less often Gekhard is a monastery complex, a unique architectural structure in Kotayk region, Armenia. Located in the gorge of the Gokht mountain river, about 40 km southeast of Yerevan. Included by UNESCO in the list of World Cultural Heritage sites. The monastery complex is really carved from the granite monolith of rocks. But only half: the deep rocky mountain gorge Geghard in this place is covered with natural grottoes and caves, which served in ancient times as the cells of the monastery.

The monastery was founded (presumably) in the IV century by the First Catholicos of Armenia, Gregory the Illuminator, and was originally called Ayrivank. The monks here gave shelter and food to belated travelers who did not dare to pass through the gorge after dark. It was repeatedly attacked, first by Arabs and then by Seljuk Turks, who burned it in 923. Not a single original structure of the ancient monastery has survived to our time. Next, you will see a magical cave that a man was able to dig in a manual, without the help of anyone, without equipment. It's just a fairy tale. A dream come true. Lavon’s Grandfather’s Cave captivates anyone who visits his fairy tale for the first time.

• Wi-Fi in transport
• Bottled water
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• Local sweets
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• Air conditioning in service transport