Armenia’s Garni Pagan Temple, Geghard Monastery
Garni Temple of The God of Sun
The Garni Temple is the only standing pagan temple left in Armenia and was built in Greco-Roman and Armenian architectural styles. In 77 AD the king Tiridates I the Sun built this temple to the sun god Mihr (equivalent to Mithra) above the Azat Canyon. Next to the temple a Roman bath was also built. In 301, when Armenia adopted Christianity as state religion, all the pagan temples in the kingdom were destroyed. Only Garni Temple remained standing, thanks to it being turned into a royal summer house for its beauty.
The Temple was almost completely destroyed in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in the 17 C., but was rebuilt in 1960 mainly using the original stone blocks.
In the evening the Temple is being illuminated, creating a mysterious atmosphere around the site. The illumination is effective all-year-round.
Geghard Monastery (Ayrivank)
The originally named Ayrivank, the Monastery was carved from a single rock with a cave opening in the 4th c. (In Armenian “Ayri” means “cave” and “vank” means “monastery”).
The word “geghard” means “spear” and is connected with the fact that the spear, which wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, was brought to Armenia and stored in this monastery. Now this spear is stored in the Etchmiadzin Treasury.
Inside the cave church flows a stream of “holy water” and it is believed, that drinking it will cure any illness, and applying it to one’s face will make you beautiful.
The church has an upper floor which is said to be the place where voices pass through most clearly in the world, and here you can enjoy beautiful hymns and a capella.
The Geghard Monastery and the Azat Upper Valley were registered into UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 2000.
Price: 1 person-120$; 2prs-70$; group 10$~ each.
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