Garni - Geghard

• The temple of Garni is located on south-west from Yerevan, on the territory of the region of Abovyan, above the gorge of the River Azat, is located a fortress of the same name. The fortress has a shape of an irregular triangle, a shape end of which is facing the gorge. In the northern part of the cape, adjoining the plateau, from under centuries-old alluvial terrestrial stratum thickness excavation has opened massive steps with 14 powerful rectangular towers. From south and south-west, the fortress is guarded by sheer 80-100 meters rocks, hanging over the gorge. On the hill, surrounded by vineyards, rise the remains of the pagan temple (the I century). The pagan temple Garni is the only monument to the epoch of Hellenism in Armenia. The temple, dedicated to the sun goddess Mythra, was built in the second half of the first century, in the days of Tiridates I.  

• Geghard Monastery is located on north-west, 7 km from Garni, above the gorge of the River Azat, is located eminent Geghard, which is famous for its rocky architecture, successfully rivaling with terrestrial constructions. The Monastery is located on the slope of an almost enclosed amphitheater of hanging rocks, crashing into the blue of sky, in the environment of severe and majestic nature. The guide of the road to the Monastery is the figure of an lioness on a high pedestal, near an abrupt turn of the road, unexpectedly opening the view of the Monastery. The base time of Geghard is not determined certainly. Most likely, on its site used to be a cloister named Ayrivank (Cave-Monastery) because of its location in natural and artificial caves. The later name of the Monastery – Geghard, church legends connect with the spear, once kept there, the one, with which Jesus Christ was pierced by one of the Romanian legionaries, guarding him. The diamond-shaped tip plate of that spear nowadays is kept in the Museum of Armenian Church in Echmiadzin.