Garni Temple

The true and only masterpiece of Hellenistic architecture in Armenia is the pagan Temple of the Sun in Garni. This is one of the oldest monuments of Armenia, preserved from the era of paganism. Historians attribute its construction to the ancient Armenian king Trdat. Many scientists conclude that it was built in the 1st century AD.
The temple was built according to the canons of classical Greek architecture and looks very similar to the famous temple of Athena in Greece. The facade of the temple is decorated with 24 slender Ionic columns, they are crowned with a roof with a triangular pediment. The base of the temple is a high basalt podium, which is reached by a wide staircase from the side of the facade. The temple is luxuriously decorated.
Of the buildings excavated on the territory of the fortress, the palace building is of considerable interest, at one time, judging by the remains, it was richly decorated inside and out. Not far from the fortress there was a bathhouse, which was built at the end of the 3rd century AD. and is marked by features characteristic of the Roman baths of that time.
In one of them, a mosaic floor has been preserved, which is an excellent example of the fine arts of ancient Armenia. This find, discovered in 1953, is a mosaic measuring 2.9x2.9 meters. The mosaic is laid out on lime mortar from the smallest gemstones. In the middle, in a quadrangular frame, are the heads of a man - with the Greek inscription "Ocean" and a woman with the inscription "Sea". The fortress and ancient baths with mosaics can only be seen today in the form of ruins.