temple temple armenian lit pagan temple classical temple armenia best known structure symbol pre christian armenia probably built king century temple sun god armenia conversion christianity early fourth century converted royal summer house sister iii according scholars temple tomb survived universal destruction pagan structures collapsed earthquake renewed interest 19th century led excavations site mid-20th century eventual reconstruction known building armenia standing building soviet_union main tourist attractions armenia central shrine armenian location temple edge triangular cliff fortress armenian oldest fortresses armenia mentioned century site near village armenia officially known armenian includes temple bath complex royal summer palace seventh century church minor items medieval total list historical cultural monuments approved government armenia includes items occupies hectares acres supervised agency attached history precise construction date temple unknown subject debate dominant view built eleventh year reign king painter discovered greek inscription named sun founder temple inscription probably came fortress wall actual temple damaged readings possible reading translation early medieval historian attributed inscription scholars attribute inscription inscription says temple built eleventh year reign temple believed completed date proposed gained general acceptance armenia date primarily linked visit rome crowned roman emperor rebuilt city destroyed roman general gave million provided roman return began major project reconstruction included rebuilding fortified city period temple thought built temple believed dedicated sun god influenced armenian mythology equivalent like armenian monarchs considered patron scholars argued historical context temple built returning rome king natural dedicated temple patron god finds view structure temple russell inscription refers temple according different interpretation extant literary evidence provided erection temple started pretext construction declaration armenia roman province temple housed imperial newer alternative theory proposed suggests building tomb probably constructed circa theory based comparison roman buildings western asia minor monument discovery nearby graves date time discovery marble pieces style arguments pagan temple survive destruction armenia conversion christianity temples destroyed tomb ruler possibly decline early fourth century armenian king iii adopted christianity state religion virtually known pagan places worship destroyed temple pagan structure survived widespread destruction remains unknown temple destruction philosopher argues status masterpiece art possibly saved destruction suggests temple perceived entire culture suggested reason destroyed temple tomb roman appointed king armenia noted seventh century church built immediately place according temple time converted summer house sister iii purpose changed temple underwent changes outside temple cult statue removed opening roof closed stone structures removal water roof removed entrance temple transformed adjusted residence known subsequent history temple destruction reconstruction entire temple collapsed devastating june earthquake according scholars located gorge original building blocks remained scattered site allowing building reconstructed european travelers mentioned temple works early 17th century visited armenia earthquake incorrectly described local actually visited site visit fortress called throne locals described saw follows confused pile beautiful fragments columns capitals broken disorder european visit document ruins temple referred fortress book proposed reconstruction plan known proposal reconstruct temple archaeologist fifth russian archaeological congress proposed stones moved georgia reconstructed according plan suggests plan read attempt opting armenia roman past glory russia relocation iconic monument nearest administrative center governor citing technical difficulties implement plan subsequent decades scholars studied temple excavation led temple ruins uncovered sought reconstruct temple 1930s began major excavations fortress site led architectural historian focused temple years later december soviet armenian government approved reconstruction plan temple group led began reconstruction works january completed years destroyed earthquake temple entirely rebuilt original stones missing pieces filled blank stones intended easily monument dedicated erected far temple architecture overview temple follows style classical architecture began developing seventh century scholars variously described structure greek roman usually linked art pointing distinct features local armenian influence scholars emphasized armenian influence architecture calling armenian completely dismissed view calling foreign structure armenian soil instance stressed temple roman style building remarked construction essentially influence contemporary subsequent armenian architecture hand called product architectural art period entirely resembles 9th century temple specifically temple surrounded columns built elevated podium constructed grey locally temple composed temple supported total metre high columns order sides corner columns listed twice based comparative analysis proposed columns temple origins exterior triangular depicts sculptures plants figures staircase unusually high steps centimetres high twice high average height stairs suggests unusually high stairs person ascending staircase feel physical effort reach altar sides staircase roughly square greek mythological held earth sculpted way seemingly trying hold entire temple shoulders assumed originally held tables exterior temple richly decorated depicts continuous line furthermore ornaments capital stones projecting sculptures lion heads fragment bearing lion head removed captain late nineteenth century bequeathed temple metres high metres long metres wide people fit inside relatively small size proposed statue stood inside ceremonies held outside furthermore white marble sculptures bull discovered metres temple possibly remains sculpture god portrayed fight bull lit sources large entrance metres opening roof metres current state use tourist attraction temple nearby medieval monastery main tourist attraction sites armenia people visiting visit sites collectively known people visited temple recent years notable individuals visited temple president polish lady austrian president spanish opera singer greek president personalities american keyboardist american comedian brien visited temple october armenian assistant filmed episode armenia included dancing temple episode aired late night talk november scored million viewers preservation temple fortress supervised government agency attached survey state conservation rated quarters visitors good good awarded measures taken preserve cultural emphasis placed efforts interpret open site national international visitors shrine temple central shrine small number followers armenian hold annual ceremonies temple especially march pagan new year celebrations held summer festival pre christian pagan origins notable events square temple site occasional concerts soviet televised music festival song year recorded temple major concert held july armenia conducted orchestra played works composers torch lit near temple august depictions temple depicted use incidents september russian tourist early temple spray painting literally translating world idol painting cleaned days later armenian state service protection historical cultural reserves filed civil lawsuit february agency requested recover damage resulting vandalism april decision province court ruled custody months fine requested gallery
Temple of Garni