Mount Sipan

Sipan is situated on the northern shore of Lake Van. The real height of the mountain is 4058 instead of the previously known 4434 meters which is incorrect. There are several extrusive formations on the peak which is covered by meadows. According to ancient Armenian Legends, Sipan is the symbol of Hayk and Nemrut is the Symbol of Bel. The German geographer Maurice Wagner (1813-1887) called Sipan “Proud Mountain” for its majesty.

Nekh Masik

In ancient Armenian sources and records, Sipan was also referred to as Nekh Masik, Masiac, Tsipan, etc.

Erida

In the Urartu era inscriptions the mountain is referred to as Erida. According to academic Gevorg Jahukyan, the Erida is decoded as “erdik” which is translated as “chimney”.

This mountain attracted the attention of numerous Armenian artists with its everlasting and majestic beauty. Sipan appears in the landscape drawings of Panos Terlemezyan with its unique charm, recognizable depiction of surroundings and picturesque scenery of the author’s birthplace Van. Terlemezyan painted the masterpiece “Mount Sipan from Ktuts Island” in 1915, during a heavy period in Armenia’s history. He peppered the painting with the eternal love he had towards his motherland.

Climbing Mount Sipan

We started our ascent in 8th of August, 2017 at five o’clock in the morning. The ascent from the tent camp to the summit took 9 hours (relative altitude – 1500 meters). It was hard but surmountable. The view from the summit remained etched in our memories. 

Photo by Hrachuhi Ayvazyan, Eduard Stepanyan & Tigran Shahbazyan

Armenian Highland