Qeshm Island - Persian Gulf
Xarbes ( Xarbez ) Caves, are located in Qeshm Island, south of Iran within Persian Gulf. They are series of interconnected caves, originally formed by geologic erosion and expanded by human back to the Median age (1,000 B.C) continued up to recent centuries. Many different applications are considered for the caves, from somewhere for sheltering from pirates to somewhere for worshiping Gods; Xarbes is also said to be an ancient Mithraism temple and its original name was probably Xorpas (Xor=Sun & Pas=Guard). There are some cravings of holy ancient symbols inside the caves. Xarbes caves are one of the Qeshm Island's main tourist attractions.