Mount Ararat: Did the Noah’s ark rest at this mountain?
Mount Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and one of the many mountains closely associated with Noah's Ark. It is believed that the ark rested at its Top. Located in northeastern Turkey near the Armenian and Iranian borders, This Ararat is one of the most amazing mountains to visit in Turkey. The mountain is snow-covered year-round and attracts tourists for sightseeing, enjoying its beauty, and doing mountain sports like climbing. Continue reading to learn more about Ararat, the nearby beautiful tourist sites, and its cultural significance among Armenian and Islamic people.
Where is Mount Ararat located?
Historical Mount Ararat is situated in a strategic region in eastern Turkey, close to the Turkish-Iranian and Turkish-Armenian borders. It is between Agri and Igdir, just 16 kilometers from the Iranian border and 32 kilometers from the Armenian border. As a result, the Mount is between Turkey, Iran, Armenia, and even Azerbaijan, making it a significant tourist site. In addition to its religious importance to the inhabitants of these countries, both Christian and Islamic. You can easily accessible to Ararat Mount by road from various Turkish cities, with a distance of about 560 kilometers from Trabzon, taking approximately 7 hours. The nearest airport to the Mount is Agri Airport, located about 89 meters away, which you can get it in one-hour drive.
Information about Mount Ararat Mount Ararat:
is one of Turkey's most beautiful mountains, having two main tops: Greater Ararat (Mount Ataturk) and Lesser Ararat (Mount Enono). The highest peak, Mount Ataturk, reaches approximately 5,200 meters, making it Turkey's highest mountain Top and the 43 highest top in the world. This elevation allows the mountain to be visible from countries like Armenia and Azerbaijan. The second peak, Mount Enono, is about 1,400 meters lower than Mount Ataturk, with an elevation of around 3,800 meters Mount Ararat is renowned for its cultural and religious significance, especially with Noah's Ark, people are said that it is rested beside this mountain. For Armenians, the Mount is a holy mountain and a national symbol dating back to ancient times. In terms of tourism, the Mount featured for its snow-covered peak throughout the year, attracting thousands of climbers who come to experience the challenge of climbing to its Top. The first recorded successful climb of Ararat was by “Friedrich Parrot” around 200 years ago in 1829. Mount Ararat is a dormant volcano that has erupted multiple times in ancient history, resulting in the loss of hundreds of inhabitants living on its foothills. The most recent eruption was in 1840, which kills over 10,000 lives, mostly villagers residing on the mountain's foothills.
Mount Ararat in Islam:
Allah sent Prophet Noah to a people who deviated from monotheism and worshipped idols. Noah called his people to faith in Allah alone for 950 years, but they rejected his message and continued to mock him. Only a few believed in what Noah say, so due to the majority's arrogance and disbelief, Noah prayed to Allah to save him from the corrupt people. Allah commanded Noah to build a Hugh ark and revealed that the area would be flooded by His command. When the promised day arrived, Allah commanded Noah to board the ark with those who believed from his people. Noah endured mockery from his people while building the ark, with some describing him as crazy. After completing the construction, heavy rain started falling, and water went out from everywhere. Prophet Noah and his followers boarded the ark, along with pairs of every species of animals. The great flood occurred, destroying the disbelievers and submerging them, while carrying the believers and Noah's ark to Mount Ararat in Turkey. This flood served as humanity's rescue from a catastrophic end, initiating a new human life that believed in the One God. To this day, researchers differ on the location where the ark rested, with some suggesting the mountain is in the Arabian Peninsula, Mosul, or southeastern Turkey. Mount Ararat in northeastern Turkey is considered one of the mountains where the flood and Noah's ark are said to have rested. During excavations within Ararat, researchers found skeletal remains of various animals, along with a large wooden structure backing to the ark.
Mount Ararat among Armenians:
Ararat holds a special place among the Armenian people, who refer to its peaks as "Massis." The name "Massis" traces back to King "Amasia," a grandson of "Hayk Nahapet," the forefather of Armenian nationalism. Ararat is considered holy by Armenians, with its image present on the coat of arms of the Republic of Armenia as a symbol of significance. The infamous Armenian butchery occurred in the site between Armenia and Ararat, further elevating its importance to Armenians as a symbol of freedom and resistance. Armenians view Mount Ararat as a Mount that having been taken from them by the Turks, and they always say about its grandeur, hoping to reclaim it soon and celebrate on its slopes. Armenians see Ararat much like Muslims view Al-Aqsa Mosque – an occupied holy site.
Tourist Areas near Mount Ararat:
The Mount lies amidst the regions of Agder and Agri, known for their historical and tourist Importance. Nearby tourist spots include:
Ishak Pasha Palace:
Located directly in front of Mount Ararat, named after “Ishak Pasha”, son of “Shulak Abdi Pasha”, the region's prince at that time. The palace construction began in the 17th century in time of “Shulak Abdi Pasha” and was completed in 1785 during “Ishak Pasha” reign, taking about 100 years to build. It is a unique palace in the area with central heating, water networks, and sanitation systems.
Meteorite Crater:
Located near Turkey's borders, it is the world's second-largest crater resulting from a meteorite that fell in 1982. With a diameter of about 35 meters and a depth of around 60 meters, it is home to various living animals and attracts thousands of tourists year-round.
Diadin Resorts and Springs:
Three resorts (Davut – Yilanli – Kubro) located about 60 kilometers from Agri center, close to Mount Ararat. These resorts are among Turkey's best swimming pools visited by tourists for relaxation and healing from bone, skin, and nerve diseases due to the minerals and sulfur elements in the hot waters.
Is there volcanic activity at Mount Ararat?
There has been no volcanic activity at the Mount for over 180 years, making it a dormant volcano covered in snow year-round. Historical research records several volcanic eruptions before Christ and in the 15th and 18th centuries AD. The last volcanic eruption at top Ararat occurred in 1840, resulting in the deaths of over 10,000 people. Thus, we have now read all about Mount Ararat and the stories surrounding it and Noah's ark. Now visit Agri city and see this great tourist attraction – one of Turkey's most beautiful and highest peaks.
