Garni

Garni is situated 28 kilometers south-east from Yerevan in Kotayk region of Armenia. Garni is located on the bank of the river Azat. Garni once was an impregnable fortress and a summer country house for Armenian kings. There is also a pagan temple Garni, which was built in 70's years of the 1st century by the Armenian King Trdat the 1st. The temple was dedicated to pagan god named Mihr. The temple is surrounded by 24 columns which symbolize the hours of the day. The etymology of Garni is connected with Haykazyan Gegham patriarch's grandson Garnik.