Kish, not a mere shopping center

Kish has long been among the prime destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists. It boasts a set of of natural , historic and cultural attractions which would make a pleasant and memorable trip. The island turns into a highlight during summer when a summer festival is held which entertains visitors.
Beautiful coastlines along with an array of modern commercial centers as well as quiet and peaceful and clean streets in a clean atmosphere have made it a different resort for families. In addition to its unique natural and commercial highlights, it features historic attractions too. The hundreds –year-old Kish in the heart of the Persian Gulf is a place where great people like Ebn Baṭṭuṭa, Saadi, Yaghut Hamawi either traveled or talked of its glamour and magnificence. Sa’edi , the literature master , has mentioned it in the third chapter of his famous book, Golseatn.
The Persian Gulf and its islands have long been an indispensable part of Iran’s great empire. They are where the sea routes between east and west meet , which is on the oldest commercial road in the world known as silk road.
One of the major historic sites is the remains of the city of Harireh , housed in the north of the island. Also among the relics explored in the ancient historic city through excavation are the house of lords, the bathhouse, the harbor city collection, ancient aqueducts and mosque. Encompassing an area of 120 hectares, the city of Harireh in Kish flourished from 367 through 912 AH .

House of lords

In the monument, many potteries with walls decorated with plaster molding and glazed tiles were found , which date back to the 7th and 8th centuries AH. Its main entrance lies in the west side which is connected to a central courtyard through a corridor. It has probably been without a ceiling but the corridor around has a ceiling adorned with arches. The central yard is surrounded by rooms including, kitchen, rest room, store house, and living room. There are two staircases leading up to the second floor (Parts of its floor and balcony still exist).
It was important to store and use freshwater and that’s why they have developed a special canal system along with a place for storing water.

Jame mosque

The remains include a tall magnificent circular minaret and interior staircase, as well as columns and multifaceted pillars which are of high value. There is a room for storing water whose ceiling has collapsed inside.
Currently, the mosque has no ceiling but based on evidence it contained wooden board cradle-like ceilings. Also there are four altars inside the mosque .
It features a1200-square-meter enclosed Shabestan( an underground space that can be usually found in traditional architecture of mosques, houses, and schools in ancient Iran) or the prayer’s place which caters for 2,200 prayers. Archeological examinations show that the original foundation in a far small space with 3 mats and simple small altar started 900 to 1,000 years ago . It developed with the growth of population and decorations were added. In late Timurid era , about 400 years ago , the city waned in importance and the mosque grew smaller. A smaller mosque was built in the central altar with available materials. Near the mosque, are remains of a tower whose square pillar rises inside. It’s not clear if it was originally circular. The latest archeological findings show that there was a market nearby where profitable international commercial activities took place with countries such as India, China, Saudi Arabia and Zanzibar.

Port

On the shores of the ancient city of Harireh , you will see the remains of wells and canals built on the coral reefs overlooking the sea, which connected it to the sea. Some of the canals stretch into the city’s buildings. A staircase has been chiseled in the heart of the rocks with advanced principles of architecture in a small space, which made it easy for animals carrying burden. One of its exceptional architecture features is the floor of the rooms of buildings is ridged . According to archeologists, they were used for extracting date syrup.

Water storage and aqueducts

Research shows that the facilities to store and transfer freshwater were the main part of the city’s architecture.
The triangular enclosed spaces for storing water with different dimensions and depths exist in abundance. Also various aqueducts inside the city ran in residential places and supplies residents’ drinking water.
Of note is the remains of a historic beautiful bathhouse.
Ebn-e Khordad, a historian who lived in the reign of the dynasty of Bani Gheisar in the fourth century AH and had seen the city, has said:
“In the island there was a fortified city. Commercial ships from India and Saudi Arabia often docked in its harbor. “
When the Persian Atabakan ruled the region in the 6th and 7th centuries AH, Kish thrived more than ever before and was known as Atabakan’s treasury. In the time of the Ilkhanid Mongol and Timurid eras, the island was a major commercial center in the Persian Gulf region and played a significant role in connecting people of different nationalities and groups.