Garni Gorge

Common card · No. 400166

The Garni Gorge is a river gorge carved by the Azat river in Kotayk Province, Armenia. It is situated 23.3 kilometres (14.5 mi) east of Yerevan, Armenia, south of the village of the same name. The Garni Gorge is protected by law and listed as a natural monument. 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). Along the sides of the gorge are cliff walls of well-preserved hexagonal basalt columns, formed by ancient volcanic activity and slow cooling. This portion of the Garni Gorge is typically referred to as the "Symphony of the Stones" or the "Basalt Organ". 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...

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