The Queen of the East, the city of Erzurum, perches likean eagle's nest at 1950 metres above sea level. The dominant histarical architecture of the region is Seljuk. Do not mi ss visiting Kars, north-east of Erzurum, to see the city's magnificent castle and the ruins of the ancient cityof Ani.
Mount . Ararat is undoubtedly the most famous sight ofeastemTurkey. the mountain where Noah's Ark is said to have Janded after the Flood. Two years ago the American astronaut I覺win scaled the 5165 metre-high mountain to search unsuccessfully for the remains of the ark. In the shadow of this mountain is 覺shak Pasha Palace, a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture.
From here it is a few hours' journey to Lake Van, which you can tour by fenyboat. On Akdamar Isiand you may vi sit the ruins of a one thousandyear old church. Ifyou are fortunate enough to see one of the famous Van ca ts. with one blue and Ol!e yellaw eye. do not be tempted to take it with you. This species .js now almost extinct.