Mount Ararat

The dormant volcanic mountain in eastern Turkey, near the Armenian border, traditionally identified as the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Great Flood. At 16,854 feet (5,137 meters), Ararat’s snow-capped peak dominates the region and has inspired ark-searching expeditions for centuries.

Scripture states that after the floodwaters receded, “the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4)—using the plural “mountains,” which refers to the mountainous region of Urartu (ancient Armenia) rather than specifically identifying the modern peak called Mount Ararat. The Quran places the ark’s landing on “Mount Judi” (Quran 11:44), which Islamic tradition locates in southeastern Turkey near the Iraq border, not the peak now called Ararat.

The connection between this specific mountain and Noah’s ark developed in later Jewish and Christian tradition. Early church fathers like Jerome identified it as the landing site, and medieval travelers reported seeing ark remnants. Armenian Christians particularly venerate the mountain, calling it “Masis” and considering it sacred ground where humanity’s post-Flood renewal began. The mountain features prominently in Armenian national identity, appearing on the country’s coat of arms despite now lying within Turkish territory.

Numerous expeditions have searched Mount Ararat for ark remains, especially since satellite imagery became available. Claims of ark sightings persist, but none have withstood scientific scrutiny. The mountain’s significance lies less in archaeological verification than in its symbolic resonance—a towering reminder of God’s judgment on sin, His mercy in preserving Noah’s family, and His covenant promise never again to destroy the earth by flood (Genesis 9:11). Whether or not the historical ark landed on this specific peak, Mount Ararat stands as a monument to God’s faithfulness and the new beginning He granted humanity.