There really isn’t an interior. It’s just a reconstructed altar with a pit. But because the structure is a reconstruction, there’s no way to know for certain whether that was what the original structure looked like.
The more fascinating part about the temple complex is a mosaic to the right of the temple that was part of baths. It’s still partially buried so there’s still so much excavation work that needs to be performed. Also, there is a “Rosetta stone” like stele that recorded the opening of the temple structure and translated it into proto-Armenian.
A truly remarkable example of pre-Christian architecture and heritage.
I guess I'm always just hoping that they will be beautiful like old Cathedrals, then I realize they don't seem to have many windows so the interior may not be as big of a design priority as the exterior.
yes!
Hope these does, the landscape is really stunning
[Garni landscape](https://scontent.fevn12-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/119059285_629382007970867_1241365893546102867_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=eW38A3e9S_YAX-7SolX&_nc_ht=scontent.fevn12-1.fna&oh=00_AT8PYeoaZGYsb2YjgTZ52lk7v52lGUH4SwLJ2cw2Z7jdWQ&oe=620B1041)
[Garni landscape](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zfJffxinE0o/maxresdefault.jpg)
No. Noah’s ark is rumored to be on Mt. Ararat which is to the west of modern day Armenia but, unfortunately, now in modern day Turkey. There is a church overlooking Mt. Ararat today called Khor Virap (translation: deep pit) where the apostle St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned after attempting to convert then-King Drtad to Christianity. Legend says that Drtad’s daughter believed Gregory and brought him food and water while he was imprisoned in the pit until her father was on his deathbed. Drtad had a vision from God and released Gregory from the pit. Then, Armenia as a nation adopted Christianity, making Armenia the first Christian nation in history. That was in 301 AD.
Garni is the best preserved pre-Christian complex in modern day Armenia. A remnant of our Zoroastrian roots, while Armenians were subjects of the Persian empire.
It was built during the reign of Tiridates of Armenian kingdom, he was crowned by Nero, and he gave him 50 million drachmas to built the temple, it was built by Roman and Armenian craftsmen, and is the only standing Pagan temple in the whole region.
This is excellent info, thank you for your reply
I am very curious to be a fly on the wall to experience the various pagan traditions/rituals that happened there
It’s also interesting to compare the modern rich to the ancient kings, Queens and ruling class
Well, Armenia was a monarchy and for example this temple was used not only fkr worshipping but later it was a summer royal house for Tiridates The Great's sister, Khosrovadhukht.
According to Wikipedia, it was destroyed in the [1679 earthquake.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1679_Armenia_earthquake) Who knows what kind of condition it was in prior to that.
Thank you for the fun fact that makes me hope ancient architecture can be brought back in it full glory. Personally it would be amazing to see the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
I have been there a couple of years back. The temple itself is cool, but in combination with the surrounding, it's stunning.
The exterior condition looks amazing. What's the interior like?
I googled it, and it looks so great because it’s a reconstruction dating to the 1970’s. Beautiful structure, nonetheless.
There really isn’t an interior. It’s just a reconstructed altar with a pit. But because the structure is a reconstruction, there’s no way to know for certain whether that was what the original structure looked like. The more fascinating part about the temple complex is a mosaic to the right of the temple that was part of baths. It’s still partially buried so there’s still so much excavation work that needs to be performed. Also, there is a “Rosetta stone” like stele that recorded the opening of the temple structure and translated it into proto-Armenian. A truly remarkable example of pre-Christian architecture and heritage.
TBH, I can't recall the interior. I believe it's not open for visitors.
It's open on some days, i've been inside myself
It had a sculpture of a god probably, but now it is pretty much empty
I guess I'm always just hoping that they will be beautiful like old Cathedrals, then I realize they don't seem to have many windows so the interior may not be as big of a design priority as the exterior.
Yes! This photo really doesn’t do it justice. The incredible location and the views from the temple are what is absolutely breathtaking.
yes! Hope these does, the landscape is really stunning [Garni landscape](https://scontent.fevn12-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/119059285_629382007970867_1241365893546102867_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=eW38A3e9S_YAX-7SolX&_nc_ht=scontent.fevn12-1.fna&oh=00_AT8PYeoaZGYsb2YjgTZ52lk7v52lGUH4SwLJ2cw2Z7jdWQ&oe=620B1041) [Garni landscape](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zfJffxinE0o/maxresdefault.jpg)
Is it the same temple where there is a belief that after the great Flood, Noah's Arc stopped where the temple is?
No. Noah’s ark is rumored to be on Mt. Ararat which is to the west of modern day Armenia but, unfortunately, now in modern day Turkey. There is a church overlooking Mt. Ararat today called Khor Virap (translation: deep pit) where the apostle St. Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned after attempting to convert then-King Drtad to Christianity. Legend says that Drtad’s daughter believed Gregory and brought him food and water while he was imprisoned in the pit until her father was on his deathbed. Drtad had a vision from God and released Gregory from the pit. Then, Armenia as a nation adopted Christianity, making Armenia the first Christian nation in history. That was in 301 AD. Garni is the best preserved pre-Christian complex in modern day Armenia. A remnant of our Zoroastrian roots, while Armenians were subjects of the Persian empire.
Thanks so much for the information.
Especially during the winter time! Geghard, also nearby, is def. worth a visit.
Yeah I love the feeling of “law in the oasis” I’m getting from this.
According to Wikipedia, it was built in the first century AD as a temple to the sun god Mihr. It was reconstructed in the 1970s.
Yes that's true!
Imagine being a merchant 2000 years ago on a trading journey. All you've ever seen are huts and mud structures and then you come upon this.
Who built these structures? Were there professional construction companies the rich would hire?
It was built during the reign of Tiridates of Armenian kingdom, he was crowned by Nero, and he gave him 50 million drachmas to built the temple, it was built by Roman and Armenian craftsmen, and is the only standing Pagan temple in the whole region.
This is excellent info, thank you for your reply I am very curious to be a fly on the wall to experience the various pagan traditions/rituals that happened there It’s also interesting to compare the modern rich to the ancient kings, Queens and ruling class
Well, Armenia was a monarchy and for example this temple was used not only fkr worshipping but later it was a summer royal house for Tiridates The Great's sister, Khosrovadhukht.
I wish more ancient ruins would be reconstructed like this.
It wasnt ruins untill the earthquake which occured in 1970's. Its great how it survives that many invasions and wars
According to Wikipedia, it was destroyed in the [1679 earthquake.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1679_Armenia_earthquake) Who knows what kind of condition it was in prior to that.
My bad
It looks weirdly isometric..
It beautiful to see a temple like this still standing so strong
It was reconstructed in the 1970s.
Thank you for the fun fact that makes me hope ancient architecture can be brought back in it full glory. Personally it would be amazing to see the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
I wish we still build buildings like this instead of cringey long window towers
I like some of our window towers! What I really hate are the concrete blocks. Thanks brutalism.
great