Ashuradeh Island

Bandar-e-Torkaman is one of the northern ports of Iran, which is located in Golestan province and can be said to be one of the most famous ports on the eastern shores of the Caspian Sea. This port can create a unique experience for you, because in this area, a variety of foods along with numerous markets that are located next to each other make every traveler experience a pleasant trip. But there is also an attractive and spectacular attraction in this port area, which is in fact one and only in all the northern provinces along the Caspian Sea. This is the spectacular attraction of Ashuradeh Island, which is the only Iranian island in the Caspian Sea, and to reach it, you must go to the Bandar-e-Torkaman. It is 10 km away from Bandar-e-Torkaman and 40 km away from Gorgan.
Ashuradeh Island is located in the center of the Miankaleh Peninsula in the city of Bandar-e-Torkaman and is the only Iranian island on the Caspian Sea. The island is composed of alluvial sediments resulting from the erosion of the Kahr Baran or Nekarood River and the transport and accumulation of sediments in this area. The material of these sediments varies depending on the type of rocks in the areas carried by the water. These sediments are clay-free. The lack of clay in the sediments between Kale and Ashuradeh Island has significantly affected the erosion of sea water and wind, and this has led to the formation of sand dunes on the island. These hills are the main roughness of the island and are mainly manifested in the form of short and elongated hills (stretching from west to east due to wind flow and sand diameter) with holes between them.
Unfortunately, in the past centuries, following the actions and activities of human groups, this island was separated from its main land mass by digging canals, and in 1975, it was introduced and registered as one of the first biosphere regions in the world. At the same time, in the Ramsar International Convention, it was among the most important wetlands in the world, and the third importance of this region is its membership in the wildlife sanctuary, which hosts a variety of birds all year round. A noteworthy and valuable point of Ashuradeh Island in Golestan is that about 40% of Iranian caviar is obtained near this island. This island is very important historically and has played an important role in the history of Iran and the region at different times and is currently playing an important and spectacular tourist attraction in northern Iran. Ashuradeh Island is located in the middle of Kaleh-Torkaman port and is about 10 km away from Bandar-e-Torkaman and about 40 km away from Gorgan. Every year, many domestic and foreign tourists travel to this spectacular island in Golestan province during Nowruz and spring.
You may be wondering what was the reason for naming Ashuradeh Island in Golestan, so we must say that the word “Ashuradeh” in Torkaman means “Assyrian Island”, and has two parts Ashir (Assyria) and Ada (Island). The Torkamans also call this island “Mal Ashir” because in the past, they used to bring their livestock to the island from the coast of Turkmen port for grazing, and in this word, “Mal” means “livestock” and “Ashir” means ” Delivery.
The island has been the center of trade and various economic activities in the past and in 1215 AH, which was equal to 1836 AD, the island was occupied by the Russians and was a place for colonial rivalry between Tsarist Russia and Britain. During the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah Mirza Taghi Khan Amirkabir sought to capture Ashuradeh. Finally, after the fall of Tsarism, according to the treaty between Iran and Russia in Moscow in 1921, also due to the reluctance of the Soviet government to use the usurper property of the Tsarist government which was the Ashuradeh Island and the purchase of Firuzabad with its lands under the May 28, 1892 agreement which was transferred to Russia from Iran, the island was returned to Iran.
The island was in Russian hands until the end of World War II. The Russians built several hospitals, a residential building, a castle and a wooden church on the island. Before the flood in Ashuradeh in 1372, about a thousand people lived there and it was not like the island was deserted and deserted. Until then, the island had a school, a shop, a rural cooperative, and enough facilities to live on, but after the sea rose, people left, and most moved to Miankaleh. Of course, the island is still uninhabited; Fishery workers live on the island.
On Ashuradeh Island in Golestan, the spectacular plants that you can see also include raspberry bushes, a kind of thorn and sour pomegranate trees. The island’s habitats include jackals, foxes, rabbits, fish, partridges and seabirds.
Every season you go to Ashuradeh, you will see many birds that may be native or migratory. Until the beginning of the century, the Mazandaran tiger also lived on this island, although the last living tiger was seen about 40 years ago, which was unfortunately hunted.
If you want to stay on Ashuradeh Island, we suggest you move to Gorgan. But if you want to stay on the island itself, stay at the locals’ house or spend the night camping on the island, which of course can have its own risks. Gorgan has good 3- and 4-star hotels that have different facilities and prices.
Bandar-e-Torkaman used to have three important ports, but now one of them remains. The port of Bandar-e-Torkaman is located in the west of this city and on the east coast of the Caspian Sea. This area is one of the most important resorts for the people of this city. Watching the sunrise or sunset from this pier, while you also see the view of Ashuradeh Island, will give you amazing views. If you want, you can ride in the Caspian Sea with motor boats or pedal wheels and enjoy the scenery.
To buy the famous souvenirs of Bandar-e-Torkaman, you must go to the pier of this city. The seaside bazaar of Bandar-e-Torkaman is the most important commercial center of the city, where you can find all kinds of colorful Torkaman clothes and coats, famous Torkaman shawls, Torkaman felts and rugs, ornaments, local cookies and sweets etc.
If you want to buy handicrafts in this city, in addition to the beach market, you can buy it from the famous markets of this city on Monday. On Monday, the Bandar-e-Torkaman bazaar opens at the entrance to the city, where hardworking Torkaman men and women display and sell their native products at reasonable prices.