How Did Hassan Sabbah Draw Foreign Tourists to Alamut?

Shayan Bahrami, the head of Bushehr province's professional ecotourism society, wrote in a note: Years before Alamut Castle was included in the world heritage list, foreign tourists used to climb the stairs of this fortress. Foreign tourists, especially Croatian tourists, had heard the names of Alamut and Hassan Sabah from the locals of the region before entering Iran. This question occupied my mind: what draws a traveler from the other side of the world to a mountain spot in Iran, when the title of "world record" was not yet in use?

The answer should be found in the power of the story.

In 2026, the "Almut Castle and Related Fortifications" complex, including the Alamut Castle and six other historical fortifications in Qazvin province, was registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List. UNESCO introduces this complex as the political, military and intellectual center of the Nizari Ismailis since the end of the 11th century; A network that was both a shelter and a center of knowledge and cultural activity.

But Alamut's fame began many years before this official registration. One of the most important ways of introducing it to the European audience was the novel "Almut", written by the Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol. The documents of the Institute of Education of the Republic of Slovenia show that this novel was used for students of the fourth year of public high school and in the framework of the subject set of the final exam "Matura"; An incident that has been repeated in some other European countries.

The educational content prepared for this work introduced the students to the geographical, historical, cultural and religious atmosphere of the story of Alamut. This means that a Slovenian or Croatian student may have encountered the name Alamut in the classroom before even deciding to travel to Iran, thought about its atmosphere and created an image of this castle in his mind. Years later, when the same student enters Iran as a tourist, Alamut is not just a historical building for him; It is a destination that has lived in his mind and imagination before.

This is where the story has done its work before the world record.

Siraf has a hero that has not been narrated yet

In the south of Iran, there is also a character who can carry an international narrative: Suleiman Tajer Sirafi.

Historical reports introduce Suleiman Sirafi as a trader from Bandar Siraf, who traveled to China and Machin in the third century AH and wrote a description of his route and observations in Arabic in 237 AH. These reports were later compiled and completed in a work known as "Akhbar al-Sain wa al-Hind" by Abu Zayd Hasan Sirafi in the early 4th century AH.

His journey to the East was made about four centuries before the travels of Marco Polo. This historical distance alone can be the starting point of a novel, documentary, movie or international drama series; A story about an Iranian merchant who took the sea route from a port on the coast of the Persian Gulf, crossed India and reached China.

However, how many Iranian students have heard the name Suleiman Sirafi? How many pages of our textbooks are devoted to his life and travels? How many novels, plays, films or animations have been made about this historical figure?

We are facing a hero who has the capacity to become global, but has not yet acquired a universal narrative; Or maybe they stole his narration.

To be recognized, Siraf does not need only a sign, brochure and administrative file. This port should enter the literature, cinema, school and imagination of the new generation. Bushehri and Iranian storytellers can recreate Suleiman Sirafi's life and journey by relying on historical documents. Then, it is possible to translate these works and introduce them through cultural consultations, festivals, universities and educational centers of other countries.

Foreign writers can even be invited to write their narratives about this character by researching about Siraf and the Persian Gulf maritime history. Just as a Slovenian writer turned Alamut into a part of Europe's literary memory, a powerful fictional work can also bring Siraf into the cultural memory of the world audience before it is recorded globally.

Investing in this narrative may not be less important for Siraf, Bushehr and Iran than global registration. A World Register gives a place official recognition, but a good story gives that place life, audience and permanence.

This does not mean that nothing has been done in this field over the years. Certainly, if today we see Siraf's name being placed on the world record, this is the result of the efforts of researchers such as Dr. David Whitehouse, an English archaeologist, who conducted archeological excavations in Siraf port for seven years from 1345 to 1351 AD and discovered more than 1,000 historical coins and 17,000 pieces of important historical objects. The activities of other Iranian and foreign researchers, as well as the efforts of many Siraf lovers to introduce this port, including my dear friend and teacher, Mr. Mohammad Kangani, have also played a role in this path; People who have been working for this goal for years.

Alamut showed how a story can appeal to tourists before taking any address. Now it's Siraf's turn; A port that has both its hero, its history and people who can host the world.

Suleiman Tajer Sirafi is one of the most famous and famous Iranian sailors and merchants in his time and in historical narratives. At that time, Siraf was one of the most important trade and commerce centers, and therefore, Suleiman was introduced to the concepts of trade and commerce from a young age.

When he was young, he fell in love with the sea and made long and dangerous trips to the farthest parts of Asia, Africa and maybe even Europe using sailing wooden ships. These trips not only showed the height of his courage and skill, but also significantly helped to expand the scope of trade between Iran and other regions of the world.

During these trips, Suleiman the Merchant focused on opening new ways to trade goods such as silk, spices, and jewelry; Goods that were very valuable in the markets of that time.

His travelogue, which was written in Arabic and is said to be kept in a museum in France, is a valuable treasure of geographical, human and cultural information that played an important role in informing the world of different and unknown places at that time. It is also claimed that this work has been translated into more than six living languages ​​of the world so far; A subject that requires detailed investigation and citation of bibliographic sources.

By creating stories and narratives that are inevitably included in literary and historical works, Suleiman became a legendary figure in the history of seafaring and trade. His efforts and adventures are still remembered as a symbol of the efforts, patience and technical knowledge of Iranian merchants of that time and made him one of the most inspiring figures in the history of seafaring and commerce.

Along the way, he faced countless challenges, including fierce sea storms, pirates, and intense competition with other merchants; But with tact and intelligence, he was able to overcome many of these obstacles and put his name forward as one of the prominent businessmen of his era.

Solomon's wealth was not limited to trade. In some narratives, his investment in shipbuilding and port development and his role in Siraf's economic prosperity have been mentioned; Actions that could provide employment and people's well-being. There are also stories about his generosity and benevolence and investing in the construction of a school, a mosque and a caravanserai, which require authentic historical documents to confirm.

However, his ups and downs life has also been associated with sadness in the narratives. During his long travels, he lost many loved ones and faced infidelity and betrayal. However, by relying on his faith, perseverance and experience, Suleiman was able to overcome difficulties and continue doing business and serving people until the end of his life.

The story of Suleiman's life is an example of effort, risk-taking and success in the history of Iran's maritime trade. A capacity that can be the basis of historical research and the creation of literary and artistic narratives.

The connection between the story of Sindbad Bahri and the merchant Suleiman Sirafi

According to the Sirafi researcher, Mr. Mohammad Kangani, Sindbad Bahri was one of the 42 famous Iranian sailors in the Siraf port who traveled the seas from Bushehr to China with ships and sailboats.

Perhaps many Iranians still consider Sindbad an Arab character. The character of Sinbad was noticed in Japanese animation and in Arab countries, and his name was associated with these countries in the minds of the audience.

Sinbad Bahri, according to this story, had a bird named "Sheila" as his companion. The name that is said to be related to the old and historical name of Siraf. Also, the similarity of some of Sinbad's stories with Suleiman Sirafi's travelogue can be a basis for investigating this hypothesis; A hypothesis that requires more historical and comparative research to prove it.

This issue can also be effective in advancing this goal; Either by introducing the main character of Sinbad and examining its historical roots, or by correctly modeling this successful narrative; A narrative whose more detailed examination can help to identify the cultural and historical capacities of Siraf.

If we don't invest in such personalities at the right time, other countries, especially the Persian Gulf countries that have realized the importance of using the past for tourism development, may recreate and introduce these capacities in the form of narratives and tourism products.

Just as the shipbuilding and sailing industry, which has been linked with the history of Iran since ancient times, has been recreated in some countries of the region with extensive investment in the tourism industry, and today wooden ships operate in this industry, generate income and strive to register and introduce this heritage in international forums, there is also a risk that the narrative of our merchants and captains will be registered in the name of others.

This is despite the fact that, according to what is said about the existing restrictions, the laws and regulations of the country have faced difficulties even to obtain an activity license for wooden ships and have blocked this path in some cases; A situation that can lead to the decline of the glafi profession and the end of the work of many glafans, i.e. the traditional masters of making lanj.

In order to become global, Siraf needs more than registration in official lists. Its story should be told, its heroes should be recognized and its maritime heritage should be kept alive in the form of literature, cinema, education and tourism.

**Perhaps it's time to introduce the story of Sulaiman the merchant of Siraf to the world in addition to trying to register Siraf globally; Before others write his story.**