Tehran, Nov 10, 2008: A historic tunnel in Iran’s Hormuz Island in the Persian Gulf has been filled with soft soil in order to protect it from further damage.

Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization conducted the project to protect the ancient tunnel near the remains of the Portuguese’ Fortress from environmental damage and vandalism.

The tunnel was unearthed during recent works on electrical wiring close to the old fortress. Future studies are expected to reveal more details about the tunnel.

The Portuguese’ Fortress was built in southern Iran after the Portuguese viceroy Alfonso de Albuquerque attacked Hormuz Island in 1507 during the Safavid dynasty (1502-1736).

Several fortresses and defensive structures remain on the Iranian islands of Hormuz, Qeshm, and Larak and in the port of Kong as legacies of the Portuguese colonial exploits in the Persian Gulf during the 16th and 17th centuries.