Hormuz Island

Hormuz Island  lies like an oyster shell amidst the waters of the Persian Gulf, covering an area of 41.9 sq. km. Hormuz Island is located to the southeast of Bandar Abbas and lies within 10 nautical miles from it. The island, known as Organa to the ancient Greeks and as Jarun in the Islamic period, acquired the name of “Hormuz” from the important harbour town of Hormuz (Ormus) on the mainland 60 km away, which had been a centre of a minor principality on both sides of the strait. The island is arid, and during the summer months the temperature can rise to over 43 °C (109 °F). Hormuz is an island full of wonders. The land of colored soils. Where the redness of its soil and the sea become together. A strange mountain whose soil is used as a kind of spice by the locals! This edible mountain, which is the only edible mountain of the world, is located in Hormuz Island, Iran. The wide ranging colors of the soil include white, yellow, red, green, orange, beige, brown, light turquoise, and even gold. From a geology perspective, the island is one of the most important salt domes of the world; due to these features, it is given the name lithology lab. The agile artists of the island also produce hand arts such as colorful paintings made with their valuable soil, also very popular among tourists. The best time to visit Hormuz island is winter. Natural events like the migration of birds and turtles also occur in this season. When you decide to travel to the Hormuz island, you need to prepare yourself, because in Hormuz there is neither a shopping center or a luxurious hotel. Everything is pristine and intact, and actually, this is what makes this island unique that there are no urban elements there. Hormuz is an old island. The sources say this island is 600 million years old. The same sources say that Hormuz island had a brutal trade before Mongols attack. When the Mongols came, they took their homes and villages. Some people moved to Qeshm, and others moved to Gambaron pier and built a city that they named it Hormuz because of the name of that ancient city.

Hormuz Top Attractions

Portuguese Castle

Also known as The Fort of Our Lady of the Conception, the Portuguese Castle on Hormuz Island, is one of the important vestiges from the times of the Portuguese occupation and their domination on the coastal areas and islands of the Persian Gulf. The Fort of Our Lady of the Conception (Portuguese Castle) is located in north of this island. This structure was constructed in the year 1507 AD. on the orders of Alfonso de Albequrque the renounced Portuguese navigator. The castle was constructed in a vicinity known as Murna. It is an irregularly shaped and multi-sided construction, with walls to the thickness of 3. 5 m and towers reaching an elevation of 12 m.

The red stone fortress was then named as the “Fort of Our Lady of Conception”, or more simply the Portuguese Castle today. Made from reddish stones on a rocky promontory at the north end of the island, the castle was cut off from the rest of the island by a moat, traces of which still remain.

The castle involves arms depot, water reservoir, barrack, prison, church, command centre and central hall.

DR. AHMAD NADALIAN MUSEUM & GALLERY

Also known as the Museum of Nadalian, The Museum and Gallery of Dr. Nadalian in Hormoz Island shows the works of this artist who is internationally known as one of the most active environmental artists. Now most of Nadalian works are scattered across the earth. His environmental art projects, include the carving of rocks that can be found in many countries. Before the establishing of the art center the people who addicted to alcohol and drug used this space. In March of 2009 , the Paradise Art Centre on Hormoz Island in the Persian Gulf was established here. This quirky and very colourful museum – it occupies a brightly painted house smack dab in the village – shows the works of local artist Ahmad Nadalian. Artworks include sand paintings and dolls made of recycled materials.

SALT GODDESS CAVE & MOUNTAIN

The Hormuz Island in southern Iran is widely known for its red and edible soil but in addition to the dominant red colour of the island, a splendid white colour catches the eyes of every visitor: The whiteness of the Goddess of Salt.

The jewel of geology of the Persian Gulf is located on a salt dome. The crystals of salt stone are scattered in most parts of the island.

The southern swathe of Hormuz Island is covered with huge salt crystals. Among the main tourist attractions of the island, one can refer to the unsmooth surface of the earth caused by erosion over time. This has created some unique scenes.

The Goddess of Salt is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Hormuz Island. It is composed of a salt mountain with colourful textures, beautifully cut by nature over time. Underneath the mountain, a stream is flowing against an orange backdrop. The stream’s nice sound creates a pleasant feeling amid the heavy silence of the island.

Valley of the Statues in Hormuz

This stunningly beautiful natural site is called ‘Valley of the Statues’ (Valley of Sculptures,  Valley of Imagination or Darreye Tandis-ha) because here tall rocks have been sculpted into strange shapes by the elements. With a bit of imagination you can see Many animal like Clifs such as a dragon, birds and mythical creatures. The site is located on a bluff that affords fantastic vistas of the coastline.

It can be seen from the shape of rocks that over the course of thousands of years, the island of Hormuz has gradually emerged from the water, the process of erosion on them has played. The whole path of the valley is filled with crystalline sands. Another interesting thing about this place is the lovely silence that makes sense.There is no guidance bar, and without a guide, it’s very difficult to recognize the existence of such a place.

Silence Valley

To get to the natural areas of the silent valley in Hormuz, you have to walk a few hundred yards to enjoy the salt landscape in this valley, reach the rocky wall at the end of this path and enjoy its unique beauty. Be amazed Specific silence in this valley.
Since rock salt releases a very positive energy, after having spent some of your time in the valley, you will surely have a great deal of energy, which is why this valley is also called the Energy Valley.

Rainbow mountains & Valley

The entire of Hormoz island is made of rainbow mountains and you can freely walk through most of the middle of it. But this spot is a good place to stop and check out all the colours. In close vicinity of Silence Valley, lies the mesmerizing valley of more than 70 shades of minerals, rendering the valley a perfect subject of Geology studies.
The mineral colors of black, white, yellow, red, blue, … make up a stellar landscape, no visitor of Hormuz wishes to miss. To preserve this invaluable geological beauty, it is strongly recommended to visitors not to take any soil or rocks from the valley!
Rainbow Valley is a geologist’s dream and an inspiration for artists and nature enthusiasts. Imagine a narrow valley with multi-hued earth and sand and colourful mountains in shades of red, purple, yellow, ochre and blue – the result of the uneven cooling of molten rock. On all sides, patches of colour form geometric patterns. This awesomely photogenic natural site is at its best in the late afternoon.

Silver and Red Beach of Hormuz

Hormuz Island has a mountain rich in red oxide soil, called “Gelack”, which is not just a valuable mineral for industrial purposes, but the locals use it as an spice in their cuisine, such as sauces, jams, etc.
The mountain being on the shoreline, makes the peculiarly red beach and red waves of the sea an unmissable sight to see. What is more, walking along the shore, you will encounter parts where sand glitters with metal compounds, especially mesmerizing at sunset or sunrise.
The Red Beach is only one among Hormuz Island’s various rocky sand beaches with their mysterious sea caves. Hormuz’s red soil has a high economic value and exported it for several years in order to use in various industries such as dyeing, cosmetics, glass and ceramics, But exports have become more limited today because of the loss of this unique soil.
The soil color around you keeps changing as you walk or ride and you can visit a unique red edible soil and other 70 colorful minerals in Hormuz Island. Wonderful views, untouched nature, and various attractions all in Hormuz Island are the magnificent features of this beautiful island. Winters in Hormuz Island are pleasantly mild. You can enjoy many entertainments, lifestyles, traditions, clothing, and local dishes of the south of Iran when in Hormuz Island.

Hormuz Sea Caves

Hormuz Island is most famous for its imposing red soil. But, beware red is not all there is to Hormuz Island soil and its epic geological formations.  As one takes on the coastal road around this spectacular island, colors of blue, purple, yellow, white, glittering gold and silver come flashing past your eyes on the tranquil sand beaches, epic cliffs, mountains and caves: a natural archway in the rock. The beach here is nice and peaceful as well. The Red Beach is only one among Hormuz Island’s various rocky sand beaches with their mysterious sea caves.
For its proximity to the Strait of Hormoz, this elliptical Island is known as the key to the Persian Gulf. Red soil mines, 7500 inhabitants, amazing landscapes, a significant variation of minerals and geological outcrops, coral reefs, sea caves, diverse shape of the coastline, local vegetation, wildlife, and a number of historical and cultural monuments intertwined with its native life, make this a different place to visit.

World’s largest soil carpet

Hormoz Island is famous for its colorful soil and this lead to the idea of making the world largest soil carpet under the title of “Persian Gulf”. The soil carpet covering an area of 1300 square meters is made of 90 different colors of soil.
Before this project, the world’s largest soil carpet was made on the Canary Island and measured 900 square meters. Iran’s carpet soil can be regarded the world largest one and will probably make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
The designers called the carpet ‘Damahi’ adapted from the name of a mythical fish. The enormous fish is believed to help the natives trapped in panic situations. As part of Hormuzgan province, Hormuz Island is located in the Strait of Hormuz, 5 miles off the Iranian coast.