Azat Canyon

Sightseeing

Azat Canyon it is also called Garni gorge, lies across the length of the Azat River and its confluent Goght. The canyon is attractive for the wonderful natural rocks, formed of regular hexagonal cylinders. These rocks start from the beginning up to the highest point of the canyon. The composition is called “Symphony of Stones” or “Basalt Organ”. “Symphony of Stones” is registered in the list of natural monuments and, consequently, is protected by law.

Canyon of Garni stretches along the river Azat (Garni) and Goght (tributary of Azat). It is notable for its magnificent, seemingly artificial slopes, which are composed of regular hexagonal prisms. The last stretch from the foot to the top of the gorge and got the name “Symphony of Stones”.

The Azat River is located in Armenia, in Ararat and Kotayk regions (the main part belongs to Ararat region).. Its source is on the western slope of the Geghama mountains. It flows through Garni, Lanjazat and Arevshat. It flows into the Arax near Artashat. The main purpose of the Azat dam is to serve for irrigation and hydro power generation. Its hazard potential is ranked to be high. The Azat River is known in Armenia for its beauty. It flows for 55 kilometers and has a basin that occupies 572 square kilometers. The Azat passes through the Khosrov State Reserve. In its lower reaches, the river flows into the Ararat valley. The Azat is known for its numerous spectacular waterfalls and its rock choked river bed.

One section of the Azat, where it meets River Goght, is particularly fascinating. It is a canyon known as Canyon of Garni. The canyon’s formation is so unique that it almost looks artificial. The canyon is composed of regular hexagonal prisms. Near its end, the gorge’s beautiful formation has prompted the name “Symphony of Stones

A single-span bridge of XIII century is located on the river Azat, near Garni village. Temple of Garni and the monastery complex of Havuts Tar are located on the top of the gorge. If to watch from the temple of Garni, you can see a rock, formed from the confluence of Azat and Goght, which looks like a guitar.

Photo By: Artur Martirosyan

The article is the property of hatis.am and it is forbidden to publish it without written permission. Partial or complete publication of the article can be done only by mentioning the source of the article or by actively linking to the website.