Qeshm Portuguese Castle

The Portuguese castle was built in 1507 on the orders of Afonso de Albuquerque (a Portuguese sailor) on the island of Qeshm.

One of the great strategic regions and natural resources of Iran is the south of the country. Since ancient times, many countries have intended to capture this area, such as the Portuguese.

The Portuguese castle is located on the north of Qeshm Island, on the Gulf coast. Albuquerque (Portuguese sailor) captured the islands of the Gulf, and thus dominated the commercial maritime trade between India and Europe. Portugal's dominance in the important waterway lasted 110 years. During that time, they built fortresses and castles, including the forts of Hormuz, Qeshm and Lark. Qeshm castle with an area of more than 2 thousand square meters and made of calcareous and gypsum stones with local Sarooj. Qeshm castle is used as a vast reservoir or ammunition and weapons facility storage that has helped other forts in pressure situations.

The Portuguese castle was a warehouse of ammunition that built on Qeshm that connect to the castle of Hormuz and to provide supplies and services to the central fort. finally, in 1623, one of the Safavid commanders captured the Portuguese fortresses and other Persian Gulf outpost. During the explorations of the Portuguese castle, a number of enamels, Venice glasses, and Cannon found. The castle includes Gun storage, a large cistern, rooms soldiers, prisons, churches, command and control rooms.

Ehsan Yaghmai was taken the castle out of the soil in 1378. This archaeologist was exploring this castle in the spring of 1379. Following the magnitude 5.9 earthquake in the spring of 1379, the exploration of the inner part of the eastern wall of the castle failed because of its destruction.

• What is the best time to go?

Every corner of Iran you will find a unique weather situation and pristine nature. The southern parts of Iran have a unique climate. In the winter, southern regions of Iran have spring weather and are hot in other seasons of the year. The best time to travel to Qeshm is late December to late March.

• Getting there?

To go to this castle, you must go to Bahonar St after the Persian Gulf highway, then move eastward to the Velayat Square to get to the Portuguese castle. Qeshm Island is a small island. Finally, after about 12 minutes driving by car, you will arrive at this castle.