Symphony of the Stones in Garni Gorge, Armenia
A soaring 'symphony'
The Garni Gorge can be appreciated from both near and far. Get a wide enough perspective and you'll enjoy splendid views of a rugged and green river canyon in central Armenia. Venture into the gorge itself and fantastic geological wonders await—chief among them are cliffs known as the Symphony of the Stones. Massive basalt columns stand out from hill faces in neat, soaring rows, resembling the ranks of pipe organs. The site was formed through a process called columnar jointing. It's easy to get close to this marvel—or even get partway beneath it—as the photographer who captured our image did.
A soaring 'symphony'
The Garni Gorge can be appreciated from both near and far. Get a wide enough perspective and you'll enjoy splendid views of a rugged and green river canyon in central Armenia. Venture into the gorge itself and fantastic geological wonders await—chief among them are cliffs known as the Symphony of the Stones. Massive basalt columns stand out from hill faces in neat, soaring rows, resembling the ranks of pipe organs. The site was formed through a process called columnar jointing. It's easy to get close to this marvel—or even get partway beneath it—as the photographer who captured our image did.
© Denny van der Vaart / iStock / Getty Images Plus 2026-09-11 08:45:52 :