Le temple de Garni (en arménien: «Garnu tacar») est situé dans le village de Garni dans la province de Kotayk, en Arménie. Il était autrefois un temple païen dédié au dieu solaire arménien, Mihr. Construit au milieu du 1er siècle ap. J.-C., le temple de Garni a remarquablement survécu à la période de destruction des temples païens suite à la conversion de l’Arménie au christianisme au 4e siècle ap. J.-C. Il a aussi résisté à d’innombrables invasions et tremblements de terre jusqu’à son effondrement en 1679. Suite à une période de fouilles archéologiques entre la fin du 19e siècle jusqu’au début du 20e siècle, le temple de Garni a finalement été reconstruit entre 1969 et 1975. Aujourd’hui, il s’agit de la seule structure gréco-romaine en Arménie. Il est considéré par beaucoup comme un puissant symbole du passé classique de l’Arménie, ainsi qu’un symbole de ses liens historiques avec les civilisations grecque et romaine.
Extraordinary Armenia: An Underrated Country with Plenty to Offer
Here is my Armenia trip report from when I visited in October 2022
I visited Armenia in the fall of 2022 with few expectations. At first glance, tourism in Armenia seemed limited to the Armenian diaspora or Russians who were coming in by the droves to escape the Ukraine war draft. I hadn’t expected it to be such a delightfully easy country to travel around, and I didn’t plan to fall in love with it.
Although I had initially planned on visiting in 2008, what…
"The Armenian Church of the Holy Apostles in Ani. A broken inscription tells of a donation by Abughamir Pahlavuni in 1031." https://t.co/g90QbFHmDk
Sadly, the Khachkars have been destroyed.
Note the Muqarnas, the "stalactites" hanging over the main entrance and in the dome. Muqarnas are often seen in Islamic architecture, but the Armenian Geghard, Noravank and Yeghvard churches also have muqarnas.
"when Mark Grigorian designed the Matenadaran in the 1940s, he took inspiration from this church for its façade" Source https://t.co/p8ZvCHtWtB
Images by: https://t.co/g90QbFHmDk and https://twitter.com/vardpatrik/status/1424793768805355529?s=19
The reddish-pink rocks & masonry on this sister's base were inspired by Ethiopia's rock-hewn churches, Armenia's Geghard monastery and the album art for Zola Jesus' Arkhon (shot in the Cave of the Mounds, Wisconsin USA).
Le monastère de Gherart (ou Geghard, en arménien: Geghardavank ou "monastère de la lance") est un monastère médiéval situé dans la province arménienne de Kotayk, au cœur de la vallée de l'Azat, qui fut construit directement à partir d'une montagne adjacente. Le Gherart est réputé dans toute l'Arménie pour son art et son architecture médiévaux, et les traditions locales associent le site à saint Grégoire l'Illuminateur (257 - 331 de notre ère) qui vint dans la région pour fonder une petite chapelle chrétienne au IVe siècle. Le nom de Gherart atteste de la présence ancienne d'une lance qui aurait transpercé le corps de Jésus-Christ lors de sa crucifixion. Elle est aujourd'hui conservée à la cathédrale d'Echmiadzin, à Vagharshapat, en Arménie. Le complexe a été classé au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO en 2000.
Armenia is a country with a rich religious history, and it is known for its numerous religious pilgrimage sites. The predominant religion in Armenia is Christianity, specifically the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world. Here are some important religious pilgrimage destinations in Armenia:
Etchmiadzin Cathedral: Located in the city of Vagharshapat, this cathedral is the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It is considered one of the oldest churches in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Khor Virap: This monastery is located near the border with Turkey and offers a stunning view of Mount Ararat. It is famous for its connection to Saint Gregory the Illuminator, who was imprisoned here for 13 years before converting Armenia to Christianity. Pilgrims visit Khor Virap to see the underground chamber where Saint Gregory was imprisoned and to offer prayers.
Geghard Monastery: This ancient complex is partly carved into the rock and is known for its unique architectural and cultural significance. The main chapel, Surb Astvatsatsin, is particularly revered by pilgrims. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular pilgrimage destination.
Noravank Monastery: Located in a picturesque red rock canyon, Noravank is an important pilgrimage site for Armenians. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist is known for its stunning Surb Astvatsatsin Church and the Surb Karapet Church. Pilgrims come here to attend religious services and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Tatev Monastery: Tatev is a historic monastic complex and a popular pilgrimage destination. The Tatev Monastery is known for its scenic location on a plateau overlooking the Vorotan Gorge. Pilgrims visit the monastery to attend church services, explore the historic buildings, and ride the Wings of Tatev, the world's longest reversible aerial tramway, to reach the site.
Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries: These two medieval monastic complexes are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are important pilgrimage destinations for their historical and architectural significance. They are located in the Lori region of Armenia.
Akdamar Island: While not in Armenia but in neighboring Turkey, Akdamar Island is a pilgrimage destination for Armenians due to its Surb Khach (Holy Cross) Church, a medieval Armenian Apostolic church located on the island in Lake Van. It is a place of great religious and cultural significance for Armenians.
When visiting these religious pilgrimage sites in Armenia, it's important to be respectful of the religious customs and traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Visit Starling Travel Club and check out the current travel conditions and any entry requirements. Embark on a transformative 8-day journey through Armenia's spiritual heritage with our religion tour.