The two iwans
Cut in the cliff.
Peymanpakzad — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ali.rad — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ninara from Helsinki, Finland — CC BY 2.0 · Ali.rad — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Carole Raddato from Frankfurt, Germany — CC BY-SA 2.0
Taq-e Bostan is a site of large arches and rock reliefs carved into the mountain at Kermanshah. Two iwans are cut into the cliff, with carvings of figures, hunts and plants, and a broad pool in front reflects the rock and the trees. The reliefs were carved around the 4th century AD in the Sasanian era and show the investitures of the kings Ardashir II and Shapur III; they are among the finest and best-preserved Sasanian Persian carvings. Natural springs once emerged beside and below the reliefs, and springs beside them still feed the large pool. The site was a waypoint on a Silk Road caravan route and is now an archaeological park, with Sasanian and Islamic column capitals gathered in it. You walk along the pool and stand before the arches to see the carvings; it is lovely in autumn when the trees turn. It is about 10 km in a straight line northeast of central Kermanshah. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to Iran and warns that British nationals risk detention, so check official guidance before making any plans. We could not confirm the current state of this site.
Cut in the cliff.
And reflections.
On the trees.
Northeast Kermanshah, Kermanshah province
One to two hours.
Yes, both are near Kermanshah.