Portuguese fortress of Chabahar

When the southern regions of our country were occupied by the Portuguese, they built castles in some important and strategic points in southern Iran. The Portuguese Castle of Chabahar is one of them, located 5 kilometers northwest of this city.

Introduction and History:
The Portuguese Castle of Chabahar is also known as the Portuguese Castle of Tis or Tis Castle due to its location on the coast of the village of Tis.
The reason for building the castle was to provide a place for the local people to take refuge in case of rebellion or enemy attack.
Due to the passage of time, unfortunately, only ruins of the Portuguese Castle of Tis remain today.
This castle has been rebuilt and restored at different times.
Even traces of architecture and decorations from the Qajar era can be seen in this building.
Tis Castle is located on a hill between the Pilband and Shahbazband mountains.
Before the presence of the Portuguese, this hill was also used as a place for observation.
Tis Castle of Chabahar was registered in the list of national monuments of Iran in 1354.
Portuguese Castle of Chabahar
Architecture:
The Portuguese Castle of Tis was built 500 meters from the sea and on a hill 55 meters above the water level, which gave the castle complete control over its surroundings.
When the sea was stormy, the 4 towers located at the 4 corners of the Portuguese Castle played the role of lighthouses for sailors.
The castle is 54 meters long and 26 meters wide.
The plan of the castle was such that the central courtyard was in the middle and the rooms and chambers were located on three sides around it.
The side facing the Sea of ​​Oman had two towers, which were considered the best place for observation of the castle.
There was a minaret on the right tower, of which only about 5 meters remain now.
The decorations used in the brick minaret date back to the Seljuk era.
Arabic and Kufic inscriptions can be seen on this minaret.
The castle’s vestibule, which resembles the Safavid era caravanserais, is barely recognizable and was built during the time of Shah Suleiman the Safavid.
Despite many ruins, parts of the castle, such as the cistern and the well built outside the castle, are still visible.
The materials used in the construction of the cistern and the well were stone, mortar, and plaster.

As we mentioned, the Portuguese built castles in several places in southern Iran. The Portuguese castle in Qeshm and the Portuguese castle on Hormuz Island are among the castles built by the Portuguese.