Qeshm history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Qeshm is rooted in deep antiquity, spanning periods well before the Islamic era. Archaeological evidence suggests that settlements existed in this territory since the times of Elam and the Sassanid Empire. In ancient historical chronicles, the city and the island were often mentioned under the name Abarkavan. Due to its location, it served as a vital navigational landmark for seafarers of the ancient world from early times.

Key Factors of Establishment

The transformation of a small settlement into a significant centre was driven by several critically important circumstances:

• Strategic Geography: Its location in the narrow Strait of Hormuz allowed for control over the entrance to the Persian Gulf, making the city an important geopolitical hub.
• Trade Routes: Qeshm became a natural transit point on maritime routes connecting Mesopotamia, India, and East Africa.
• Climate Adaptation: The development of the city was made possible by the ingenuity of its inhabitants, who created complex systems for collecting and storing fresh water (cisterns and wells) in an arid climate.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economic foundation of early Qeshm relied on seafaring. Local residents were renowned as skilled shipbuilders and navigators; it was here that the traditions of crafting wooden vessels, known as "Lenjes," were formed. Besides transit trade, pearl diving and fishing flourished, shaping a unique culture where maritime traditions intertwined with influences from merchants across various corners of Asia.

Major Historical Milestones

• 3rd–7th centuries AD — During the Sassanid era, the island is known as Abarkavan and serves as a vital strategic point on maritime routes.
• 1272 — The famous Venetian traveller Marco Polo visits the region, noting its role in international trade.
• 1300s — Qeshm becomes a key part of the domains of the rulers of Hormuz, controlling the entrance to the Persian Gulf.
• 1507 — Portuguese admiral Afonso de Albuquerque captures the island and begins the construction of a powerful fortress to control the strait.
• 1622 — The forces of the Persian Shah Abbas I liberate the island from a century of Portuguese dominance.
• 1645 — The Dutch East India Company temporarily establishes a trade presence on the island, competing with other powers.
• 1820 — The British Empire establishes a naval base in the settlement of Basidu on the west of the island to combat piracy.
• 1991 — The Government of Iran officially establishes the "Qeshm" Free Trade and Industrial Zone to attract investment and tourists.
• 2017 — Qeshm Geopark receives the prestigious status of a UNESCO Global Geopark, confirming the uniqueness of its natural landscapes.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The development of Qeshm followed a path from a local fishing settlement to a modern trade and tourism hub. Several key directions can be highlighted that shaped the modern appearance of the city and the island:

• Centre of Traditional Shipbuilding: For centuries, Qeshm developed as the region's main shipyard. The construction of wooden cargo vessels, "Lenjes," not only formed the backbone of the economy but also honed the unique skills of local craftsmen, whose art is today recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• Engineering Adaptation to Climate: Urban planning in the historical part of the city (especially in the Laft area) was defined by the necessity to survive the heat. The mass construction of wind towers (Badgirs) and a complex water collection system (Tala Wells) created a recognizable architectural landscape that became the region's calling card.
• Fortification Construction: The period of Portuguese presence in the 16th–17th centuries introduced elements of European military architecture to the urban environment. The construction of a powerful fortress changed the layout of the coastal zone and secured the city's status as an important military outpost for a long time.
• Free Economic Zone (FEZ) Status: The establishment of the FEZ in 1991 became the main driver of modern urbanisation. This decision led to a boom in the construction of shopping malls, residential complexes, and the expansion of the port, radically changing the economic structure and appearance of the city.
• Global Geopark and Ecotourism: The awarding of UNESCO Geopark status reoriented the development strategy towards tourism. This stimulated the creation of road infrastructure to natural sites, the opening of hotels and museums, making the hospitality sector a new pillar of the economy alongside trade.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Qeshm is a unique fusion of Persian traditions adapted to a hot, humid climate, and colonial heritage. Unlike the adobe cities of central Iran, urban planning here was dictated for centuries by the proximity to the sea: moisture-resistant materials were used, and street layouts were designed to ensure maximum shade and ventilation.

Traditional Architecture: "Bandari" Style

The historical buildings of the island and the old quarters of the city belong to the distinctive style of the Persian Gulf coast. This style formed up until the mid-20th century and is characterised by the following features:

• Climatic Adaptation: Narrow winding alleys (koocheh-pas-koocheh) are designed to provide shade for most of the day and channel the sea breeze into the neighbourhoods.
• Wind Towers (Badgirs): A symbol of the region. Unlike the badgirs of desert cities (such as Yazd), local wind catchers often have a more squat shape and are open only to the prevailing sea winds to "catch" the coolness and direct it into living spaces.
• Materials: Coral stone, limestone, and a special water-resistant mortar called "Sarooj" (a mixture of clay, lime, and ash), which is resistant to salty air, were traditionally used.

Colonial Period: Military Architecture of the 16th–17th Centuries

The era of Portuguese rule left a noticeable mark on the island in the form of fortifications. This is austere, functional architecture designed to demonstrate power and control.

• Portuguese Castle (Fort of Our Lady of the Conception): A striking example of European military engineering of the Renaissance era. The fortress is built of reddish stone with thick walls and bastions designed for artillery defence. Today, the ruins of the castle contrast with the peaceful urban buildings.

Engineering Architecture: Water Supply System

A special place in urban planning is occupied by hydraulic structures, which are vital for the arid island. Although utilitarian, their execution possesses high aesthetic value.

• Ab-anbars (Cisterns): Traditional reservoirs for collecting rainwater with dome-shaped roofs. Their white domes, frequently found in the outskirts and old districts, have become an integral part of the architectural landscape.
• Tala Wells (in the Laft area): A historical system of dozens of wells dug into layers of slate to collect water, demonstrating the ancient art of resource management.

Modern Period: The Era of the Free Economic Zone

Since the 1990s, following the declaration of Qeshm as a free trade zone, the city's appearance began to change rapidly. Modern development is often eclectic and oriented towards commerce.

• Commercial Modernism: The construction of large shopping malls (such as City Centre) and multi-storey hotels made of glass and concrete. This architecture is functional but often lacks national flavour, creating a sharp contrast with the historical low-rise buildings.
• Infrastructure Development: The expansion of the road network and the port changed the structure of the city, shifting the centre of activity from the old bazaars to new commercial avenues.

Distinguished Historical Figures

The history of Qeshm is inextricably linked with the names of great travellers, conquerors, and commanders whose actions defined the fate of the island as a key port in the Strait of Hormuz.

Navigators and Explorers

• Nearchus (4th century BC) — Admiral of Alexander the Great's fleet.
  One of the first Europeans to describe the island (under the name Oaracta). During the return from the Indian campaign, his fleet stopped here, and Nearchus noted the island's strategic importance for navigation in the Persian Gulf.
• Marco Polo (1254–1324) — Venetian merchant and traveller.
  Visited the Hormuz Strait region twice (in 1272 and 1293) during his travels to China. In his "Book of the Marvels of the World," he described the wealth of local trade routes and the climatic features of the region, of which Qeshm was an important part.
• Ibn Battuta (1304–1377) — Famous Arab travelling merchant.
  Visited the island in the 14th century. In his travelogues, he left valuable information about the daily life of the islanders, their engagement in fishing and pearl diving, as well as the way of life in this trade hub.
• William Baffin (1584–1622) — English navigator and Arctic explorer.
  Known for the discovery of Baffin Island, he died right here on Qeshm. Baffin served as a navigator on an East India Company ship and was mortally wounded during the Anglo-Persian siege of the Portuguese fortress on the island.

Military and State Figures

• Afonso de Albuquerque (1453–1515) — Portuguese admiral, Duke of Goa.
  The architect of the Portuguese colonial empire in Asia. In 1507, he captured the island and laid the foundation for the construction of the famous fortress (Fort of Our Lady of the Conception), the ruins of which are today the city's main historical attraction.
• Abbas I the Great (1571–1629) — Shah of Iran from the Safavid dynasty.
  Initiated a massive military campaign to regain control over the Persian Gulf. His strategic decisions led to the expulsion of European colonisers from the island and the restoration of Persian sovereignty over the strait.
• Imam Quli Khan (died 1633) — Commander and Governor of Fars.
  The right hand of Shah Abbas I. He directly commanded the troops during the liberation of Qeshm and Hormuz from the Portuguese in 1622. His victory put an end to more than a century of foreign dominance in the region.