City Views, Middle East, Persian Gulf, Hormuz, ruins of Omus

Hormoz Hormuz. - "Ormus und seine Ruinen"

Hormuz was one of the most important port cities in the Middle East. Located at the narrowest straight on the Persian Gulf all traffic in and out of the Persian Gulf could be controlled here.

Rare view of this city of pleasure. Here is an account of Hormuz, written by Abbe Raynal in "Geographical Magazine" London, 1874 (from Wikipedia).

Hormúz became the capital of an empire which comprehended a considerable part of Arabia on one side, and Persia on the other. At the time of the arrival of the foreign merchants, it afforded a more splendid and agreeable scene than any city in the East. Persons from all parts of the globe exchanged their commodities and transacted their business with an air of politeness and attention, which are seldom seen in other places of trade. The streets were covered with mats and in some places with carpet, and the linen awnings which were suspended from the tops of the houses, prevented any inconvenience from the heat of the sun. India cabinets ornamented with gilded vases, or china filled with flowering shrubs or aromatic plants adorned their apartments. Camels laden with water were stationed in the public squares. Persian wines, perfumes, and all the delicacies of the table were furnished in great abundance, and they had the music of the East in its highest perfection É In short, universal opulence, an extensive commerce, politeness in the men and gallantry in the women, united all their attractions to make this city the seat of pleasure

Anonymous German lithograph. Ca. 1840

Clean. A bit soft in print. Printer's watermark

14 x 19,2 cm (ca. 5.5 x 7.5")