Armenia: Garni Temple & Geghard – Ararat, Armenia

EXPERIENCE

Visit the Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery on a guided trip from Yerevan with entry tickets and roundtrip transportation included. Step back in time while learning about the history behind these sites with a tour guide leading the way.

Not far from Yerevan, near Vokhchaberd village, there is what seems to be a typical arch. But when you climb the stairs and stand under it, this breathtaking view of Ararat opens to your eyes. It is the Arch of Charents by the famous architect Rafael Israelian.

The arch is dedicated to famous Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents, who liked to walk near these places and admire the views of Mount Ararat. Get time to take a few photos against the backdrop of the mountain.

Continue the tour to Geghard Monastery, which is included in the Unesco World Heritage List. The monastery has been one of the eminent pilgrimage sites since medieval times.

The name of the Monastery “Geghardavank” is derived from the Armenian word “geghard” that means “lance.” The same lance that was used to stab Jesus during the Crucifixion is now kept in the museum of Etchmiadin Cathedral.

At Garni Temple, explore the only standing pagan temple in Armenia and Caucasus. It dates back the 1st century A.D.

The temple building contains 3rd century Roman bathhouse, ruins of a 7th century Apostolic Armenian Church, ruins of a pre-Christian Summer Palace, the Founding Stone with a Greek inscription and an Urartian cuneiform inscription, a logo-syllabic script, dedicated to an Urartian king 8th B.C.

HIGHLIGHTS

Admire the views of Mount Ararat from Charent’s Arch
Explore the 1st-century Garni pagan temple
Discover the legends of St. Lance at Geghard Monastery

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