Mount Ararat is a snow-capped, dormant volcanic cone located in the far east of Turkey. It has two peaks, known as Great Ararat and Little Ararat. At 5,137 meters (16,854 feet), Great Ararat is the highest peak in Turkey and the entire Armenian plateau. This iconic mountain is mentioned in the Book of Genesis as the place where Noah’s Ark came to rest after the Great Flood. Today, Mount Ararat holds great significance for various cultures and religions due to its biblical connection. Its precise location in the modern nation of Turkey has been the subject of much fascination and research over the centuries.
Geographic Location
Geographically, Mount Ararat is located in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, near the borders with Armenia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The mountain sits within the Turkish province of Ağrı, close to the provincial capital city that bears the same name. More specifically, Great Ararat sits approximately 16 km (10 mi) south of the city of Doğubeyazıt and around 30 km (19 mi) north of Ağrı city. Little Ararat is located around 8 km southeast of Great Ararat.
The coordinates of the peaks are:
- Great Ararat: 39°42′N 44°17′E
- Little Ararat: 39°39′N 44°22′E
Mount Ararat dominates the surrounding landscape and can be seen from Armenia, Iran, and even parts of Syria and Iraq on clear days. The mountain and its foothills cover an area approximately 400 km across. It formed as a result of volcanic eruptions associated with the collision of the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates millions of years ago. Two lava domes emerged side-by-side, forming Great Ararat and Little Ararat.
Modern History
For most of recorded history, Mount Ararat has been located within the territory of Armenia. It held great prominence in ancient Armenian culture and mythology. During the Middle Ages, control over the mountain region shifted frequently between Armenian, Persian, Arab, Mongol, and Turkish powers. By the early 16th century, Mount Ararat became part of the Ottoman Empire after the Turks defeated the Persians.
Following the end of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, there were negotiations around incorporating Mount Ararat into the newly formed Republic of Armenia. However, the Turkish War of Independence led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ended with the Treaty of Kars in 1921, which established the modern Turkey-Armenia border. As a result, Mount Ararat remained part of Turkey. This has been a source of tension between the two countries given the mountain’s significance in Armenian identity.
Today, Mount Ararat remains wholly within modern-day Turkey. The peaks and upper slopes lie inside the borders of Ağrı Province, while the foothills spill into the neighboring provinces of Iğdır, Kars, Erzurum, and Van. The Turkish government strictly regulates access and climbing activity on the mountain.
Cultural Significance
As the legendary landing place of Noah’s Ark in the Bible’s Great Flood narrative, Mount Ararat holds special meaning for various cultures and faiths. It is revered in particular by the Armenian Apostolic Church and features prominently in Armenian art and literature. The mountain is considered a national and cultural symbol of Armenia.
In other Abrahamic faiths such as Judaism and Islam, Mount Ararat and Noah’s Ark hold an important place in religious tradition but have less direct cultural significance. Various sites at the foothills and higher slopes of Ararat have also been suggested as the possible location of the Ark’s remains. Searches for the Ark on the mountain have been undertaken for centuries, including as recently as the mid-20th century, but no definitive evidence has been discovered to date.
Ararat also plays a role in pre-Christian Armenian mythology as the place where the gods defeated evil forces and saved humanity. Pagan worship sites from ancient times have been found on the lower slopes. Several Armenian churches and monasteries were established around Mount Ararat during the medieval period.
The shape of Mount Ararat is featured on the Coat of Arms of Armenia. It is also used extensively as an icon and logo by Armenian institutions and businesses worldwide to symbolize their culture and heritage.
Climbing Activity
Mount Ararat is a challenging peak for mountaineers, with tricky glaciers and unpredictable weather. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1829 and it did not see much climbing activity initially. Ararat began attracting more climbers in the mid-20th century. By the 1970s, it became a popular destination to tackle for adventure seekers.
However, in 2004, the Turkish government banned all climbing activity on Mount Ararat after several incidents and accidents. Requests for permits can still be submitted but are rarely granted. Climbing Mount Ararat illegally can lead to strict fines or imprisonment. This controversial ban has been protested by Armenian cultural organizations and mountaineering groups worldwide but remains in place today.
Notable Ascents
Here are some of the most famous Mount Ararat summit attempts over the years:
| Year | Climber(s) |
|---|---|
| 1829 | Khachatur Abovian and four others (first recorded ascent) |
| 1845 | Archbishop Nersēs Ashtaraketsi |
| 1856 | John Jacob Friedrich Wilhelm Parrot |
| 1888 | James Bryce |
| 1900 | H. F. B. Lynch |
| 1955 | Turkish Army Expedition |
| 1970 | Toyota Motor Corporation expedition |
| 1991 | St. James Wings expedition (last ascent before climbing ban) |
Conclusion
Mount Ararat’s location within modern-day Turkey is the consequence of complex historical and political events in the region over many centuries. This emblematic peak has immense cultural significance for Armenia in particular, but also holds meaning for various faiths and peoples worldwide. While the mountain today lies outside Armenia’s borders, it remains an integral part of Armenian national identity and heritage. The enduring fascination with Mount Ararat stems both from its natural beauty as an iconic landscape feature, as well as its prominent place in human myth and religion as the famed site of Noah’s Ark.