Garni Gorge, Rock formation near Yerevan, Armenia

Garni Gorge is a rock formation near Yerevan featuring distinctive columnar basalt that rises vertically from the canyon walls in geometric patterns. These hexagonal columns stretch for several hundred meters along the cliffs, defining the gorge's dramatic structure.

The geological structures formed through volcanic processes when molten basalt lava cooled slowly and fractured into vertical columns. This natural division happened millions of years ago, creating the distinctive pattern visible today.

The name "Symphony of the Stones", or "Basalt Organ", comes from the rows of five- and six-sided basalt columns, about 50 m high, that hang above the Azat river and look hand-cut in their symmetry. In 2013 a poster of the site won the Europe category of the UNWTO "Vettor Giusti" tourism poster competition, chosen from among the 44 member countries of the UNWTO's Europe commission.

Garni Gorge lies 23.3 km east of Yerevan, south of Garni village. One road drops left down into the gorge just before the Temple of Garni; another runs through the village down a cobblestone road into the valley. In the valley, turning right leads to the 11th-century medieval bridge and the "Symphony of the Stones"; turning left follows the river past a fish hatchery toward Khosrov Forest State Reserve and Havuts Tar Monastery.

The columns rise about 50 metres and appear so symmetrical that they look hand-made. In 2013 a poster of the site won the Europe category of the UNWTO "Vettor Giusti" tourism poster competition, chosen among 44 member countries. Officials and businessmen have since broken off basalt blocks for their own houses, damaging parts of the monument.