Khvormuj


Khvormuj is a city in the Central District of Dashti County, Bushehr province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district. The narrow river Shur traverses the valley, 7 km to the west of the city.

Demographics

Language and ethnicity

Persians constitute 95% of the inhabitants, and the majority speaks the Dashti dialect.

Population

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 31,667 in 6,966 households. The following census in 2011 counted 34,944 people in 8,777 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 40,722 people in 11,537 households.

Attractions

Khormoj Castle

Khormoj Castle is a historic fortification in Khormoj, Dashti County, Bushehr Province, Iran. The surviving elements largely date to the Qajar dynasty period, although local tradition holds that the site may have earlier foundations.
The original complex reportedly comprised four curtain walls with towers, a central residence, stables, a guardhouse, and a bathhouse supplied by a qanat system. A 2025 study documents the discovery and description of the castle's bathhouse near the fort remains, following archaeological excavations. Architectural details reflect Qajar design combined with decorative motifs reminiscent of Seljuk architecture|Seljuk] and Sasanian styles.
Today, only a single hexagonal tower remains standing. The site is listed as a national monument of Iran. The castle is also commonly referred to as Mohammad Khan Dashti Castle.

Architecture

Accounts describe the complex as having four palisades with towers, a central mansion, stables, a guardhouse, and a bathhouse connected to a water source; parts of the complex were reportedly demolished in the late 1970s during urban works. Descriptions emphasize Qajar-period brickwork and plaster decoration with stylistic allusions to Seljuk ornament and Sasanian fortification layouts.

Comparative note

Hexagonal-plan towers also occur elsewhere; for comparison, the Great Tower at Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire, Wales, is a 15th-century hexagonal keep set within a moat.

Shrine of Mir Aram Shah

The Shrine of Mir Aram Shah is a revered religious site located on a low hill in the western part of Khormoj, south of the city's Martyrs’ Cemetery. The shrine dates to the late Qajar era and houses an unusually long tombstone—about twelve meters—adorned with intricate stone carvings. According to local accounts, the tomb is attributed to Mir Aram, traditionally said to be a descendant of Sam son of Noah, though some researchers link it to a pre-Islamic or Sasanian figure. The site, also known as Pir-e Chehel Gazu, remains a popular place of prayer and pilgrimage, especially on Thursdays.

Mother Square

Another prominent landmark in Khormuj is Mother Square, located at one of the city's main intersections. At the center of the square stands a large statue symbolizing motherhood, depicting a mother holding a child. The monument is illuminated at night and has become one of the recognizable symbols of the city.