Garni Gorge

{{Short description|Gorge in Armenia}} [[File:Garni Gorge Armenia axxp.JPG|thumb|Garni Gorge]] The '''Garni Gorge''' is situated {{convert|23.3|km}} east of [[Yerevan]], [[Armenia]], just below the [[Garni|village of the same name]]. The Garni Gorge is protected by law and listed as a natural monument.<ref>{{cite web |title=Garni Gorge |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/garni-gorge |accessdate=2024-02-24 |publisher=atlasobscur |language=en}}</ref> On a promontory above the gorge, the first-century AD [[Temple of Garni]] may be seen. The Garni Temple was built by King Tiridates I as a temple to the sun god Mihr (Mithra).<ref>{{cite web |title=Garni Gorge |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/garni-gorge |accessdate=2024-02-24 |publisher=atlasobscur |language=en}}</ref> Along the sides of the gorge are cliff walls of well-preserved [[basalt]] columns, carved out by the [[Goght River]]. This portion of the Garni Gorge is typically referred to as the "Symphony of the Stones." It is most easily reached via a road that leads left down the gorge just before reaching the temple of Garni. Another road leads to the gorge through the village, down a cobblestone road, and into the valley. Once in the valley, turning right will lead to Garni Gorge, an 11th-century medieval bridge, and the "Symphony of the Stones". Taking a left will lead along the river past a fish hatchery, up to the [[Khosrov Forest State Reserve]], and a little further [[Havuts Tar]] Monastery.

The ancient [[Geghard|Geghard Monastery]], a [[UNESCO]] World Heritage Site, is also within walking distance. Partially carved into the mountain, the monastery has existed since the fourth century AD. The main cathedral was built much later, in the thirteenth century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Garni Gorge |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/garni-gorge |accessdate=2024-02-24 |publisher=atlasobscur |language=en}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery heights="150px" mode="packed-hover" style="margin-top:3em;"> Sinfonía de las Piedras, valle de Garni, Armenia, 2016-10-02, DD 19-24 PAN.jpg Sinfonía de las Piedras, valle de Garni, Armenia, 2016-10-02, DD 16.jpg|Example of basalt columns ("Symphony of the Stones") along Garni gorge Río Azat, valle de Garni, Armenia, 2016-10-02, DD 27-29 HDR.jpg|Garni valley Río Azat, valle de Garni, Armenia, 2016-10-02, DD 37-39 HDR.jpg|Garni stream Քարերի սիմֆոնիա, Գառնի.jpg|Symphony of stones Garni Canyon, Azat Canyon, Armenia.jpg|Panoramic view of Garni Gorge and the "Symphony of the Stones" basalt rock formations </gallery>

== References == {{Reflist}} *{{citation|last=Kiesling |first=Brady |title=Rediscovering Armenia: Guide |publisher=Matit Graphic Design Studio|location=[[Yerevan, Armenia]]|year=2005}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Garni Gorge}} *[http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Garni_Gorge Armenian Wiki Encyclopedia on Garni Gorge]

[[Category:Landforms of Armenia]] [[Category:Columnar basalts]] [[Category:Volcanoes of Armenia]] [[Category:Geography of Kotayk Province]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Kotayk Province]] [[Category:Canyons and gorges of Europe]]