This ancient settlement 28km east of Yerevan has a well-preserved 1st-century Hellenistic temple and Roman baths. The site overlooks a deep gorge with basalt columns.
Garni, 30 kilometers east of Yerevan, sits on a cliff above the Azat River. You can walk through a 1st-century Greco-Roman temple, examine ancient Roman bath mosaics depicting sea gods, or hike down to see the hexagonal basalt columns in the gorge below. The area includes several hiking trails leading to medieval monasteries and caves.
Getting to Garni from Yerevan
Minibuses (marshrutkas) number 266 depart regularly from Gai Bus Station at 14/3 Gai Avenue in Yerevan. The 40-minute journey passes through small villages and farmland. You can also drive there yourself - the road is well-maintained and clearly marked, making it an easy day trip from the capital.
The Temple Complex
The Temple of Garni sits on a basalt plateau, with 24 Ionic columns reaching 6.54 meters in height. The builders used locally quarried gray basalt stones, connecting them with iron and bronze clamps instead of mortar. When you step inside, you'll walk on the original floor and see stone carvings of grapevines and pomegranate motifs.
Roman Baths and Mosaics
Next to the temple lie the remains of 3rd-century Roman baths. The floor contains a mosaic made from 15 different colors of natural stone from the Azat River canyon, showing sea gods and marine life. Look for the Greek inscription reading "We worked but received nothing" near the entrance.
Symphony of Stones
The Garni Gorge contains hexagonal basalt columns that line the cliff face. You can see these geometric formations from two viewpoints: from above at the temple complex or up close by hiking down to the gorge floor (a 30-minute descent on a marked trail).
Hiking Around Garni
Two main trails start from Garni village. The 3-hour round trip to Havuts Tar Monastery follows a moderate difficulty path with clear views of the Azat River valley. A second trail leads to the Voghjaberd Caves (2 hours one way), combining hiking with optional rock climbing spots. Both trails have yellow markings and require sturdy shoes.
Ancient Fortress Remains
The defensive wall from the 3rd century BCE stretches 314 meters around the site. Built with massive basalt blocks without mortar, the wall originally included 12 towers. You can walk along sections of the wall to see the original stonework and examine the construction methods used by ancient builders.
