Garni facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Garni Գառնի
Landmarks of Garni, from top left: Garni Temple • Symphony of Stones Garni Gorge • Khosrov Forest Reserve Surb Astvatsatsin Church  • Mashtots Hayrapet General view of Garni
Coat of arms
Garni Location in Armenia
Country	Armenia
Marz	Kotayk
Area
• Total	33.42 km2 (12.90 sq mi)
Elevation	1,400 m (4,600 ft)
Population  (2011 census)
• Total	6,910
• Density	206.76/km2 (535.5/sq mi)
Time zone	GMT +4

Garni (pronounced Gar-nee, and written as Գառնի in Armenian) is a large village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is famous for its ancient classical temple, which is very close by. In 2011, about 6,910 people lived in Garni.

History of Garni

Garni is most famous for its ancient temple, built in the Hellenistic period. People first settled in this area around 3000 BC. They chose this spot because it was easy to defend, located near a bend in the Azat River.

Ancient Times and Royal Residences

In the 8th century BC, King Argishti I of Urartu conquered the area. The fortress at Garni was likely built around the 3rd century BC. It served as a summer home for the Armenian royal families, the Orontid and Artaxiad dynasties.

Later, around the 1st century AD, the Garni fortress became a safe place for King Mithridates of Armenia. Sadly, he and his family were killed there by his son-in-law and nephew, Rhadamistus. In 1386, the fortress was attacked and damaged by Timur Lenk. A big earthquake in 1679 destroyed the temple and much of the area.

Famous Landmarks of Garni

Garni is well-known for its fortress complex, which holds many important historical sites. These include the 1st-century AD Garni Temple, the Surb Astvatsatsin Church, and the Mashtots Hayrapet Church. You can also find the ruins of a 4th-century church, a ruined Tukh Manuk Shrine, Saint Sargis Shrine, and a Queen Katranide Shrine.

The Symphony of Stones

Close to Garni is the Garni Gorge, which has amazing basalt columns. These columns were carved out naturally by the Goght River. This part of the gorge is often called the "Symphony of the Stones" because of its unique look. You can easily reach it by taking a road that goes down into the gorge just before you get to the Garni temple. Another way to get there is through the village, down a cobblestone road, and into the valley.

Once you are in the valley, if you turn right, you will find the Garni Gorge with an 11th-century medieval bridge and the "Symphony of the Stones." If you turn left, you can follow the river past a fish farm. This path leads up to the Khosrov State Reserve and, a bit further, the Havuts Tar Monastery. You can even see Havuts Tar from the Garni temple!

Nearby Historical Sites

The medieval bridge in the gorge was rebuilt in 2013. This project was paid for by the US government. Some people thought the rebuilding changed the original bridge too much. Inside the Khosrov reserve, you can find Aghjots Vank from the 13th century, the church of Saint Stepanos, and the fortress of Kakavaberd. Garni is also on the road to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geghard Monastery, which is about 7 kilometers further southeast.

Gallery

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  Map of Garni and the surrounding area

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  Garni Temple

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  Saint Sion Church foundations next to Garni Temple, from the 7th to 9th centuries

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  Mashtots Hayrapet Church, built in the 12th century

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  Garni, Surp Astvatsatsin Church, built in the 11th century

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  Khumarazham Church ruins, from the 4th-5th centuries

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  Ruins of a 4th-century single-aisle chapel at the west side of the Garni cemetery

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  Garni Gorge, also known as the "Symphony of the Stones"

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  An 11th-century bridge crossing the Azat River in Garni Gorge (before it was rebuilt)

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  The Havuts Tar Monastic Complex, located across the gorge from Garni, built between the 11th and 13th centuries

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  Aghjots Vank from the 13th century, located within the Khosrov State Reserve

See also

In Spanish: Garni para niños