Garni Fortress

Garni Fortress is an ancient Armenian stronghold in Kotayk region, best known for the Hellenistic-era pagan temple standing inside its walls. It occupies a rocky promontory shaped into a natural triangle above the Azat river gorge, with the river curving around it.

The fortress grounds spread across 3.5 hectares. At its center stands the Hellenistic-era pagan temple. Nearby are a royal bathhouse and the ruins of Surb Sion (Holy Zion) church, dated to the 7th century.

Garni Fortress sits within the village of Garni, Kotayk region, on a promontory above the Azat river gorge, about 20 km east-southeast of Yerevan in a straight line.