What well known mountain, located in eastern Turkey, is considered holy to the Armenians?

This towering, snow-capped volcano holds a sacred place in Abrahamic traditions as the biblical resting place of Noah's Ark. According to the Book of Genesis, the ark came to rest upon the "mountains of Ararat" after the Great Flood, making the peak a holy site. For the Armenian people, who were the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD, this biblical connection is foundational. The mountain is revered as their principal national symbol, deeply intertwined with their origin story and religious identity.

Interestingly, despite its profound significance to Armenian culture, the mountain itself is located within the borders of modern-day eastern Turkey, just across the border from Armenia. This geographical reality adds a layer of poignancy to its symbolism. The iconic twin peaks of Greater and Lesser Ararat are clearly visible from Armenia's capital, Yerevan, serving as a powerful and constant reminder of their ancestral homeland and heritage. Its image is even featured centrally on the national coat of arms of Armenia, cementing its status as the heart of the nation, even from a distance.