Garni

Coordinates: 40°07′10″N 44°43′23″E / 40.11944°N 44.72306°E / 40.11944; 44.72306

Garni Գառնի
Garni Village as seen from the Shrine of Saint Sargis
Garni Գառնի
Coordinates: 40°07′10″N 44°43′23″E / 40.11944°N 44.72306°E / 40.11944; 44.72306
Country	Armenia
Marz	Kotak
Government
- Mayor	Ashot Vardanyan
Area
- Total	33.42 km2 (12.9 sq mi)
Elevation	1,400 m (4,593 ft)
Population (2008)
- Total	7,415
Time zone	GMT +4 (UTC+4)
- Summer (DST)	GMT+5 (UTC+5)

Garni (Armenian: Գառնի, also Romanized as Garrni; until 1936, Bash Gyarni) is a village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia, situated approximately 32 km southeast from Yerevan. It is notable for its fortress complex with the 1st century AD Garni Temple, Surb Astvatsatsin Church, Mashtots Hayrapet Church, a ruined 4th century single-aisle church, a ruined Tukh Manuk Shrine, Saint Sargis Shrine, and a Queen Katranide Shrine. Nearby is the Garni Gorge with well preserved basalt columns, carved out by the Goght River. This portion of the 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 Reserve, and a little further Havuts Tar Monastery (which may be seen from the temple). The village lies along the road to the well known Geghard monastery (further 7 km southeast).

References

• Kiesling, Brady (2005), Rediscovering Armenia: Guide, Yerevan, Armenia: Matit Graphic Design Studio