Ağrı - Noah's Ark

The city of Agri was founded on the transit road going to Iran and is at an elevation of 1640 meters above sea level. The most interesting place in the province, which has a very old history, is the world famous Agri Dagi (Mount Ararat) with both its majestic appearance and the Legend of Noah. Agri Mountain which gives the city its name, is the highest mountain in Turkey and Europe, with its summit of 5137 meters. Through the centuries, it formed the natural border of Anatolia in the east. In other words, Agri Mountain is the farthest point that western civilizations could reach. According to religious beliefs, Noah's Ark is at Agri Mountain where the second generation of mankind survived. In the Flood, Noah took into his ship one pair of each of the living creatures and after the ship struggled with the waves in the flood, it came aground on the top of Agri Mountain which was mentioned in the Old Testament.

When the waters receded, Noah, his family and the other creatures left the ship and multiplied and formed the second human generation. The wife of Noah collected all the last pieces of grain in the hold of the ship before leaving the ship and later she mixed them together and made the first "Asure" (Noah's Pudding). The asure which is made frequently, especially in the Agri region, has become a traditional dessert.

The most important county of Agri is Dogubeyazit. The Ishak Pasha Palace, the most interesting structure in Eastern Anatolia, is located here. The stone carved decorations at the palace, which was constructed in the eighteenth century on a hill at the elevation of 7600 m2 overlooking the Dogubeyazit Plain, is dazzling. Across from the Ishak Pasha Palace is the Dogubeyazit Citadel, which was first built by the Urartians. The main citadel was built by Sehzade Beyazit in 1380 and named after him. There are hieroglyphics, grave chambers and reliefs from the Urartians at the citadel, which was constructed on top of the rocks.

The Diyadin Thermal Springs, which are known as the Pamukkale of Eastern Anatolia, are in Diyadin County of Agri Province. The Thermal Springs, which have three water sources, are beneficial for various diseases. The thermal spring at the foot of Tendurek Mountain with a height of 3542 meters, is an ideal place for photograph lovers.