Kermanshah is a city in the Central District of Kermanshah Province, Iran, serving as the capital of the province, the county, and the district.
Kermanshah Attractions
Kermanshah unfolds like an open-air museum, where each landmark whispers tales of empires, faiths and communities that have converged on this storied plateau.
Behistun Historical Site
Rising proudly above the plains, the Behistun Historical Site delivers the oldest chapter in stone: a vast frieze carved into the limestone façade of Mount Behistun, immortalizing Darius the Great alongside generations of ancient Persian rulers, their inscriptions decreed in three languages to proclaim the might of the Achaemenid Empire and cement its legacy as a cradle of civilization.
Taq-e Bostan
Just a short drive from the city center, the Taq-e Bostan rock reliefs invite visitors into the 4th century, where Sassanian monarchs reenacted royal ceremonies beneath lofty arches hewn from granite; here, the crown-wearing figures, majestic hunting scenes and sacrificial rituals remain etched in the stone, their details weathered yet powerful reminders of pre-Islamic artistry and statecraft.
Anahita Temple
A century or more later, at the Anahita Temple near Kangavar, the second-largest monolithic stone structure in Iran stands sentinel over the landscape, an austere tribute to the goddess of water and fertility. Its fluted columns and sanctified terraces once guided life-giving streams toward a central pool, while statues of sacred cows at the entrance symbolized Anahita’s guardianship over purity and abundance.
Takieh Moaven ol-Molk
Within Kermanshah city itself, the ornate Takieh Moaven ol-Molk transports travelers back to the Qajar era, when Shiite passion plays—ta’zīyah—were staged against its intricately tiled walls. Each panel bursts with cobalt and gold miniatures, depicting scenes of martyrdom and devotion that pulsate with communal fervor during Muharram observances.
Uraman Takht
Beyond the ritual halls, the stepped villages of Uraman Takht appear like a Zoroastrian parable carved into the mountainsides: clusters of stone houses clad in wooden lattices, connected by narrow alleys that rise in terraces toward the sky, where every threshold frames a view of terraced fields, meandering streams and a way of life nearly unchanged for centuries.
Biglar Beigi Tekyeh
Not far from the heart of Kermanshah, the Biglar Beigi Tekyeh emerges as another jewel of religious architecture. Once the pride of a Qajar nobleman, this sprawling mourning house features vaulted iwans, mirrored domes and stained-glass windows that flood the interior with kaleidoscopic hues—an evocative setting for the recitation of elegies and the reenactment of Ashura dramas that bind community and history in collective memory.
Quri Qale Cave
Venturing underground, the Quri Qale Cave invites a shift from sacred halls to natural wonder: carved by a subterranean river, its chambers bloom with stalactites and stalagmites that glitter under the beam of a flashlight, and echo with the drip-drip of water that has sculpted these forms over millennia. The cave’s crystal pools mirror the rock formations above, creating surreal tableaux in which light, water and time converge.
Hajij Village
A few kilometers beyond, Hajij Village stands as a testament to rural continuity. Its mud-brick homes cluster around a central courtyard, where elders gather beneath walnut trees to trade stories as vibrant as the kilims they weave. In this settlement, oral history and agricultural rhythms endure, set against the backdrop of rolling hills and apple orchards that yield the sweetest fruit in western Iran.
Kermanshah’s Bazaar
Finally, at the heart of Kermanshah’s urban soul lies its bustling bazaar—a labyrinth of low vaulted alleys where merchants display carpets woven with Kurdish motifs, copperware hammered into floral patterns, and rows of spices whose aromas mingle like an olfactory mosaic. Tea-houses spill over with samovars, and the call of “cha!” beckons travelers to pause, sip and absorb street scenes alive with haggling, friendship and the timeless pulse of commerce.
Conclusion
Kermanshah’s attractions form a mosaic where every stone carving, sacred sanctuary and winding bazaar alley contributes to a story of resilience, creativity and communal spirit. From the ancient inscriptions of Behistun and the regal reliefs of Taq-e Bostan to the tranquil courtyards of Anahita and the living traditions of Uraman Takht, the city bridges epochs of empire, faith and village life. Its teeming markets and mirrored Tekyehs pulse with modern devotion, while hidden caves and mountain villages remind us that nature and heritage are inseparable here. Together, these sites invite travelers not just to observe history, but to participate in a living heritage.
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