The Garni Temple stands in the village of Garni, in Kotayk Province, Armenia. It is a Hellenistic temple from the 1st century, dedicated to the sun god Mihr, and it is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia. For many visitors, that single fact is reason enough to make the trip.
What you will see
The temple is part of a fortress complex, so a visit is rarely limited to one building. Around it lie the ruins of ancient baths and the remains of a royal palace. Walking between these structures gives a sense of how the site was once arranged, and of the different purposes its buildings served.
Planning your visit
- Location: Garni, Kotayk Province, Armenia.
- Type of visit: A historic site, best suited to those interested in ancient architecture and the classical world.
- Enquiries: You can call +374 223 4 26 52 before you travel.
Because the temple is a single site within a wider landscape, many people choose to spend part of the day exploring the fortress ruins and the baths at a slow pace, taking in the setting as well as the stonework. Garni is also known to visitors as the Temple of Garni or the Garni Pagan Temple, names you may see on signs and maps.