TEHRAN--In line with development of tourism infrastructure and attracting national and foreign capital, the restoration of historical Russian fortress on Ashuradeh Island, in the Miankaleh peninsula, west of Bandar Torkaman in northern Iran, has begun, so that the area can be introduced as one of the tourist attraction hubs in northern Iran.

Head of Golestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department Fereydoon Fa’ali  said that Ashuradeh Island has always been considered one of the important tourism destinations in Golestan province due to its geographical location and natural and historical capacities, and currently, with allocation of new funds and planning for the presence of investors, bright horizons have been drawn for transforming this island into an international tourism site, IRIB reported.

Explaining the details of the restoration plan for the historical Russian castle on Ashuradeh Island, he added that the restoration of the Russian castle has begun in the first stage.

The military fortress, built by the Russians on Ashuradeh Island during the reign of Mohammad Shah Qajar, was used as a border post during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi after it was evacuated by the Russians and rebuilt. The fortress has been abandoned for several years after 1979 Islamic Revolution and is currently in danger of being demolished.

He said that a loan has also been considered for next year so that the first phase of the project can be put into operation during Nowruz and the conditions for visiting the island can be provided for tourists.

Referring to the investment potential in the region, the activist added that Iran Tourism Development Company has announced its readiness to introduce an investor for the 22-hectare Ashuradeh Island site, which could be an important step for the presence of foreign and domestic investors in the province's tourism industry.

He also addressed other ongoing projects in the province and said that studies have been conducted on the Great Wall of Gorgan, and despite many difficulties in submitting the file for UNESCO registration, the file has been submitted.

The activist added that the restoration of the building has begun urgently, and in the first stage, a credit has  been earmarked for its emergency restoration.

He announced efforts to operate the first phase of Rural Museum in Ghorogh Forest Park  on Nowruz 1405 (next year) . 

With an area of 1,200 meters in the past, Ashuradeh was once one of the most notable wetlands in the entire world. Today, Ashuradeh has a surface area of about 320 hectares, and the local population has left the island, leaving only the employees of the Iran Fisheries Organization to live there.

Some people believe that the word “Ashuradeh” means "hunting ground" or “pasture". There is also historical speculation that Ashuradeh was a place where one of the kings of the Khwarazmian dynasty (1077-1231) fled after his defeat during the Mongol invasion of Iran, according to Visit Iran, the official travel guide to the country.

One of the historical landmarks in Ashuradeh is the ruins of Safavid fortresses that remain. Ashuradeh was a royal hunting ground in the Safavid era (1501-1736). The Russian fortress, the House of the Russian Minister and the Wooden Church are the relics from the Russian invasion of Iran in 1837. During the Pahlavi era (1925-1979), the Russian castle was used as an outpost, many parts of which are now destroyed.

The fauna of the island includes foxes, jackals, wild cats, pigs, wild horses, etc. Indigenous and migratory birds such as pheasant, white and black geese, flamingos, pelicans as well as aquatic animals like salmon, and starry sturgeon also live in this environment. Among the vegetation of Ashuradeh, sour pomegranate trees, and raspberry bushes can be named but a few.

Ashuradeh can be reached via Torkaman Island. If you want to travel and visit this marvelous attraction by your vehicle, you should park and leave your car in the Bandar Torkaman and use boats to cross over the sea through Ashuradeh Island. While visiting this island, you can get a lot of pleasure from browsing the local market, the dunes of Ashuradeh, and watching hunting sturgeons.

It is worth mentioning that about half of the starry sturgeon caviar of Iran is hunted from the shores of Ashuradeh. After returning from the Island, it is highly recommended to visit the local Bazaar in Bandar Torkaman. The best time of visiting this attraction is from spring until early fall.

KD