Charents' Arch, Garni, Geghard

The first stop of our trip will be the Arch of Charents from where a breathtaking view opens to Ararat, probably the most stunning view of the mountain. The Arch was named in honour of Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents. From here, we will continue our tour to the pagan temple Garni, built in the 1st century AD by the armenian king Trdat. The temple Garni is the only monument connecting with the era of paganism and Hellenism, dedicated to the sun god Mithra. The temple is built according to the rules of the classical Greek architecture and looks very similar to the famous temple of Athens in Greece. There is the bathhouse not far from the palace built in the 3rd century AD and has the features specific to the Roman baths of that time.

The next destination of the tour will be the Monastery Geghard, which was built in the 4th century. Initially it was called Airivank (cave monastery), then was renamed Geghard, which means <>. The name of the monastery originates from the spear of the Roman soldier who pierced the body of Jesus Christ.