Ararat Highland Attractions

Agri lies in the middle of the Eleskirt plain at the confluence of the Küpkiran Çayi and Murat Nehri (the southern headstream of the Euphrates). Known prior to the Turko-Russian War (1878) as Sorbulak, it was subsequently christened Karakilise (Black Church) by the occupying Russians on account of its Armenian church of dark-colored basalt. Its name was changed to Agri in 1927 when it became capital of that province.

From Igdir a track makes its way to the small Ararat village of Basköy (2,100m/6,892ft) at the mouth of the Ahira valley, a gorge-like defile full of volcanic lava slag. The entrance to the valley is pitted with caves, once the abode of Christian hermits. Five crosses are carved in the rock below the caves.

Çakirtas, a village about 7km/4.5mi north of Igdir, has some interesting houses. Near the village is a conical türbe, the rear of which was damaged by a grenade during the War of Independence.

Diyadin, chief town of its district, is situated at the northern foot of the Ala Daglari, just 30km/19mi or so north of where the Murat Nehri rises. It lies right on the line of the main north Anatolian fault (earthquakes, volcanic activity) and there are hot springs only 8km/5mi from the town. The site was formerly that of an old town called Zarehaven which, though sacked by the Persians as early as the mid fourth century, was still in existence as a village until the 19th century.

Near the frontier post on the Turko-Iranian border 35km/22mi east of Dogubayazit, there is a meteorite crater (signposted!).

At an altitude of 2,241m/7,355ft, Balik Gölü, northeast of Tasliçay, is Turkey's highest lake. Reaching it involves a drive of some 28km/17mi on a very minor road. The lake is set against a delightful backcloth of high mountains and its waters teem with fish. A small island has a ruin on it, probably an Armenian monastery.

Among several interesting natural features near the Ararat village of Yenidogan are mountain tarns with fumaroles, colored tufa cones and a small lake, Kop Gölü (at 4,000m/13,128ft). A short distance below the lake stands a little fort, Koran Kalesi, with ruins of an Armenian church near by.