Beautiful Hormuz island | The island version of 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, we consider the island 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. In the 13th century, when Iran was under Mongols attack, people of old Hormuz first moved to Qeshm Island. And then they moved to Zarun island, which now we know it as Hormuz Island; because they named it after their old home.

There are sedimentary and volcanic layers that form the surface of the island. Salt floors in the form of hills also cover most of Hormuz island, and the salt is often edible. It’s highest point is 186 meters above sea level and it’s largest diameter is 8 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.
Geologists consider Hormuz Island as a paradigm of geology. Because there are different types of soils in the island; and also, it 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, so you can see what an amazing place this island is.

Places you should not let slip from your list in Hormuz island:

There are alluring attraction in the island waiting for you to visit them! The atmosphere of Hormuz is so pure and nice. People are so kind and also, there are plenty of great adventures to do on the island. in the rest of this article we are going to introduce you famous attraction of Hormuz island; and give you some information about the local food. So, keep reading!

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 Hormuz 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. And it 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 heap on top of each other in different layers. Russian compounds and iron oxide compose the range of yellow, red, silver, and black colors; 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. His works scatter in more than seventy countries around the world. This place is located in the old neighborhood of Hormuz. It was first launched on Nowruz (Mid March) 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 also, Nad’alian’s social and artistic fortune on the island. You can also see examples of the island’s ancient artifacts and indigenous culture in the museum. In the gallery section of the museum, the island’s local women’s artwork is for sale; So you can buy some glorious souvenirs!

Don’t forget to have a bite from the tasty local food of Hormuz island!

You can’t find the food you eat on this island in any other place; because 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; Some of them may be too spicy that you can’t be able to enjoy!

Poudini | Taste it if you love flavors!

The name of this dish changes depending on which fish meat is used in it’s preparation. In Qeshm and Hormuz, they serve poudinis cooked from shark meat. The flavors used in the food are: lemon, spices, onions, paste and onions.

Havvari | The most famous local food found at Hormuz island

There are different types of this food. If you see shrimp in the food, that is Chak Mig havvari. Also there is fish havvari, that locals cook it with fish. A mixed and spicy rice in which you can feel the taste of southern spices and enjoy eating shrimp or fish in it.

Mahyaveh | Have you ever tasted a flavored bread?!

Mahyaveh is a special local bread that the locals bake it with fish spices; and you can eat it with all kinds of foods or in breakfast.