Tala Qeshm wells are located in Laft port of Qeshm island and are one of the sightseeing places of Qeshm. These wells are an engineering innovation. Since it is not possible to dig an aqueduct to reach fresh water and drinking water in Qeshm Island, the people of this island thought of an alternative solution to store drinking water. Tala Qeshm wells, which are also called Tala Laft wells, Tel Av wells, and sometimes mistakenly called Tala Qeshm wells, were the initiative of the people of this island to store fresh water.
Introduction of Tala wells
Tala Qeshm wells are located in the south of Iran on Qeshm Island. As it was said, the water of Qanat in this island is not very salty and drinkable. The wells of Tala Qeshm were originally deep pits for collecting fresh rain water and storing this fresh water for the daily consumption of Laft people. These wells are dug below the ground and inside a relatively large pit. This will direct fresh rain water to these wells. After the rainwater collects, they close the wells so that the water inside them remains cool and pleasant. The walls of these wells are very strong and the bottom of the well is made of plaster, which keeps the water cool and healthy.
In the old days, the number of these wells reached 366 samples, but with the passage of time, many of these wells have been filled and their number has reached less than a hundred wells. Many of these wells are no longer used due to not being dredged. The number of these wells is basically the number of days in a leap year. It is said that each well originally supplied Laft people with water for one day.
The past and history of Tala wells
There are different opinions about the history of Tala Qeshm wells. Some date it back to before Islam and to the Sassanid era. Because examples of this creativity to collect water can be seen in Siraf Bushehr port, which was dug before Islam. Some attribute its construction to the Achaemenid period, and some even attribute the digging of these wells to the time of the Medes.
Of course, it should be noted that some people attribute the time of digging these wells to the time after Islam. If what these people say is true. Tala Laft wells are almost 400 years old. These wells were dug by his slaves by order of the ruler Laft Khwaja Karim to compensate for the lack of water in the heart of the rocks.
What does Tel Av well mean?
Many believe that because of the great value of water, the word Tala or rather gold has been applied to these wells. Although the value of fresh water in this region is very high, but not every walnut is a walnut! The meaning of Tala in the name of these wells is not the precious metal of gold, but the word Tala was originally Tel Av. In the local language, (Tal) means hill and (Awo) means water. Originally, Tel Av wells, which were later called Tala Qeshm wells, meant water wells on the side of the hill.
The attractions of Tala wells
It is interesting to know that the hills above the wells of Tala Qeshm are made of coral, and this point has led the water to the wells in the best way. After the wells are filled with rainwater, people close the door of the wells and every day of the year, they open the door of one well and use its water. Each of these wells is approximately three to ten meters deep. Can you imagine that people dug 366 wells three meters high in the heart of the rock with the simplest tool to solve the water problem? It is difficult to even imagine!
Above Tala wells there are several wells whose water is slightly salty. These wells are generally designed for use by cattle. Next to these wells, there is a Laft stone pond and a rare castle that you will not regret if you go to see them during the rainy season. Rainwater is first collected in a stone pond or Laft reservoir, then it flows into Tala wells. Behind the wells of Tella Laft, there is a rare castle, whose architecture is similar to the architecture of the Portuguese castles and dates back to before Islam.
Customs of collecting water from wells
The shape of Tala Qeshm wells is different. Sometimes it appears in the form of a circle, sometimes in the form of a square, rectangle and pear. Each well has its own name, which is taken from the name of the people who dug that well. Like lobni or grabo!
In ancient times, our ancestors assigned the task of fetching water to women, because according to mythology, women were considered the guardians of waters, and it was considered disrespectful for a man to go to the edge of the river to fetch water. Women used to draw water from the well using a jug, and each family's turn to collect water was determined and managed by the lady Hafez Ab, or Mirab.
In this field, men also helped women in collecting water by digging these wells step by step. This dredging was done every week on Friday in the wells that were emptied during the week. Before the rains in late autumn, another dredging of all the wells was done.
Jarchi would gather the men of the village for this work and they would dig the wells. Of course, men helped to bring water by carrying candles. Condyl is the same wood that is placed on the shoulders and two buckets are hung from each side.
Around these wells are a number of old mesquite trees, which the local people consider to be the guardians of the wells, Tala Qeshm, and considered very sacred. Sometimes you can see the green cloths that the local people have hung on these trees.
Sometimes people sacrifice and worship under these trees. The mesquite tree takes root in the rock. The roots of these trees are constantly looking for water. The mesquite trees of Tel Av wells supply their water from these wells. That's why the people knew the quality of the water from the freshness of the trees. Maybe this point or maybe the strange and mysterious nature of these trees with their intertwined and twisting stems has made these trees sacred.
The best time to visit Tala Qeshm well
Due to the warm weather of Qeshm Island, the best time to go to this area is the cold seasons of the year. The Laft reservoir and pond fill up during the rains, so I suggest you travel to Laft Island in the second half of autumn and the beginning of winter. Although Tala Laft wells have been registered in the national register, many people are still unaware of the existence of such wells, that's why this place is secluded and does not require a special fee or entrance fee.
Where is Tala Qeshm well?
Laft is about sixty kilometers away from Qeshm and you need about an hour to travel this distance. Tala Qeshm wells are 30 kilometers away from Qeshm airport and are located near Laft Wharf behind Naderi Castle in the center of Laft. Bandar Laft road passes right by the quay and Naderi Castle.
access path to Tala wells
Loft has a car loading dock that you can access through Bandar Pol dock in Hormozgan. In Laft, there are a number of beautiful ecotourism accommodations for your stay. You can go to Bandar Laft with a leisure tour or book a plane ticket to Qeshm and go to Qeshm without any problems.
Laft wells of a world similar to the present day
Due to its special social and historical situation, Iran has wonderful places to visit in the world. But in my opinion, if you have seen all the works of Iran but have not traveled to Qeshm Island to see the sights of Qeshm, half of your life is wasted. The special geographical and cultural location of Qeshm has led to the emergence of amazing historical and natural works on this island, and in the meantime, Bandar Laft is not exempt from this rule due to its position throughout history. Definitely, the unique works of Qeshm Island and Bandar Laft, especially Tala Qeshm wells, will amaze you.
