Hormuz | The island version on Mars, on Earth!
Hormuz is an oval shaped island and a salt dome in the Persian Gulf, 16 km from Bandar Abbas. Due to it’s geographical location and proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, the island is considered as the key to the Persian Gulf. This is the situation that has made it strategically and commercially important throughout history.
Hormuz was the name of a prestigious port on the Minab River in the Persian Gulf. The present city of Minab is built on the ruins of this port. Old Hormuz had a prosperous trade in the early Mongol era. When Mongols attacked to Iran in the 13th century, people of Hormuz first moved to Qeshm Island and then Hormuz Island, which at that time was called Zarun . They moved and built a city in it and named it after their old city of Hormuz.
The surface of the Island is composed of sedimentary and volcanic layers. Salt floors in the form of hills also cover most of the island, and are often made of edible salt. It’s highest point is 186 meters above sea level and it’s largest diameter is eight kilometers.
Extraction and export of red soil from Hormuz Island is one of the most important sources of income for the residents. Blue salt and carcass stones are other mines on the island.
Hormuz Island is known as a paradigm of geology among geologists because it is made up of different types of soils and has a high diversity. The Island includes hills, volcanic mountains and salt. It is surrounded by low plains and flats, and it’s red soil mines and white salt mines are well known.
Tap on the video below to see what an amazing place this island is.
Places you should not let slip from your list!:
Edible Mountains
On the sea route from Qeshm to Hormuz island, yellow, white and red mountains can be seen. Among these mountains, there is a colorful red mountain, which has an edible soiland the locals use it’s red soil as a spice in preparing a dish called “Suragh“, cooking fish and bread, and preparing pickles, jams and sauces. The locals call this mountain “Glak” and consume its red soil like salt in preparing all kinds of food. The mountain is located at an altitude of approximately 200 meters in the South of the island and it’s soil is also used in ceramic and paint industries.
Sculpture Valley
Here you can see the Jurassic Park of huge fossils and statues. In an erosive work, you may see an image of an eagle, a sparrow, a rooster, or a dragon, and have a unique interpretation of it. At the end of this valley, you will reach a precipice 40 meters above sea level and the Strait of Hormuz will be in front of you.
Portuguese Castle
In 909, the Portuguese sailor Afonso de Albuquerque, who had traveled to the Portuguese colonies in Asia, accidentally fell into the Persian Gulf and became acquainted with the area. Immediately after attending the court of Manuel the King of Portugal, he presented his plan for the occupation of the Persian Gulf islands and approved it. He returned to the Persian Gulf in 912 and after many killings and savagery, he succeeded in conquering Hormuz in 913 and built a castle on the island.
During the years of occupation, the people of Hormoz repeatedly revolted, the most important ones were in 919, 925, 928, and 957. The island was liberated in 1031 by one of Shah Abbas’s rulers, Imam Qoli Khan. Artifacts and ruins of Portuguese buildings and forts and their cannons can now be seen in the north of the island near the current settlements.
Rainbow Valley
The most famous attraction on the island is the colorful Rainbow Valley, which is made up of more than seventy different color spectrums. The variety of rocks and minerals has made the island a potential tourist destination. In this valley, the minerals that make up different rocks are stacked in different layers on top of each other or in front of your eyes. The range of yellow, red, silver, and black colors is mainly composed of Russian compounds and iron oxide; While white, blue, pink, and gray soils are the result of volcanic compounds whose coexistence has given Hormuz a unique appearance.
Ahmad Nad’alian Museum
Dr. Ahmad Nad’alian’s Permanent Museum and Gallery on Hormuz Island is home to the works of this internationally renowned environmental artist. Dr. Nad’alian’s works are scattered in more than seventy countries around the world. This place is located in the old neighborhood of Hormuz. It was first launched on Nowruz in 2009 under the name of “Honarmand Sara”. The museum displays a film about the life and works of the artist in the corners of the world and his social and artistic fortune on the island. Examples of the island’s ancient artifacts and indigenous culture can also be seen in the museum. In the gallery section of the museum, the island’s women’s artwork is for sale.
The tasty local food
There are different types of this food; Chak Mig’s havvari is made with small shrimp, and if you use fish, it is called fish havvari. A mixed and spicy rice in which you can feel the taste of southern spices and enjoy eating shrimp or fish in it.
Poudini
The name of this dish changes depending on which fish meat is used in it’s preparation. In Qeshm and Hormuz, shark poudinis are mostly served as slaughtered shark meat, which is flavored with lemon, spices, onions, paste and onions.
Havvari
The food you eat on this island can’t be found in any other place, cause the spices used in the food are actually the edible soil found on the island. But keep in mind, before you order any of the food, consult with the locals, cause some of them may be so spicy that you can’t be able to enjoy!
Kolomba
This food, known as fish halim, is made from water, wheat, fish, onions, vegetables, garlic, hot green peppers and spices.
Mahyaveh
It’s a special local bread which is baked with fish spices and you can eat it with all kinds of foods or in breakfast.
