Garni fortress in Armenia - the oldest monument of ancient culture

In Armenia, near Yerevan, there is the village of Garni, on the territory of which the oldest monument of ancient culture of Armenia is located. The first mention of the Garni fortress dates back to the IV century BC - since then until the III century BC it served as the main residence of the Armenian kings.

Garni fortress is located on a high rocky cliff and three sides surrounded by picturesque gorges and vertical cliffs. On the fourth side of the fortress adjoins the plain, here was built 26 meters with 14 communicating towers with loopholes.

In ancient times, the Royal Palace consisted of two floors and occupied an area of 15x40 m. At the same time, the main hall occupied an area of 10x20 m. it was decorated with numerous columns, and the walls were decorated with colored plaster. During archaeological excavations, many fragments of sculptures, palace life, architectural decorations were found. Near the palace there was a bath, consisting of 5 rooms, which included changing rooms, baths with hot and cold water, a furnace room with water tanks. To this day there is a mosaic laid out on the floor of the rooms. For example, in the locker rooms, the plot of the mosaic is mainly taken from Greek mythology, and there are inscriptions in Greek on it.

To the north of the palace there were rooms for the garrison of the fortress, as well as rooms for servants and other outbuildings. One of the pearls of the complex is an ancient pagan temple dedicated to the sun god, which was built in the I century AD. After the adoption of Christianity, it was not destroyed like other pagan temples.

The temple impresses with its harmony and proportionality of lines it rises above all buildings and is visible from all sides. At the base of the temple is a high platform measuring 15x11 m. The roof of the building is supported by 24 majestic and powerful columns. From the northern part to the temple is a wide staircase of 9 high steps. The edges of the stairs are richly decorated with bas-reliefs, which depict kneeling Atlanteans with their hands raised to the top. In the nutria, the temple also has a rich architectural decoration. The walls are decorated with ornaments with low relief, the cornices on the sides are crowned with various lion heads.

During the earthquake of 1670. The temple was completely destroyed and restored in the middle of the twentieth century by the architect Sainyan.

Source: travelertales.ru