Armenia: A Day out of Yerevan

From Yerevan, we first went to the UNESCO Geghard Monastery, a medieval church complex partially carved in the rock cliff. It's popular with Armenian school groups. On the way we had a view of Mount Ararat (first below) with its two volcanic peaks rising up from the plains just over the border in southeastern Turkey.

















Outside the church there was a small area for the weekly ritual sacrifice of animals replete with stone seating, and a chopping block, hose and drain. Oh my! Just like the 2000 y.o. Sanctuary of Demeter in Pergamon.

Next we went to Garni Temple, a Greek style temple built in the first century CE, the only one in all of the former Soviet Union. The temple stands among other lesser archeological ruins. It is believed that even though the ancient Armenians were influenced by the Greeks in art and architecture, they had their own pagan beliefs and mythology.





From the vantage point of Garni Temple (first below), the basalt columns of the Azat River Gorge are very evident. Fascinated by basalt columns, we had to trek down to have a better look at the "Symphony of Stones." They turned out to be the highlight of the day.