Kermanshah

Kermanshah

description

Kermanshah, a Historical City in the Heart of the Mountains

General Characteristics of Kermanshah

Kermanshah, a mountainous city in the west of Iran, is located in the lowland and has many agricultural fields. It is the capital of a province of the same name.

Kermanshah is the 9th populated city of Iran and an important metropolis of this country. It is known as an important center of Kurd ethnic group. To know more about the traditions and culture of this ethnic group, we highly recommend you traveling to this area.

The Natural Characteristics of Kermanshah at a Glance

This city is located among the Zagros Range and has all the features of a mountainous climate. More importantly, it features hot summer and chilling winter. That is why its nature is described as violent nature.

The best time to travel to this mountainous city is spring. In this season, the surrounding plains become verdant due to the abundant rainfall. And the manifestation of spring nature is culminated.

What You Should Know about the Historical Background of Kermanshah

The mountainous nature of this region has resulted in the formation of many caves. The remnants of Neanderthals have been discovered from these caves. Of the most important ones, we can refer to Hunter's Cave in Bisotun.

This region took on much importance and credit in the Sassanid era. Hence, many monuments have remained from this era, most of which belong to the reign of Khosrow Parviz. In fact, it was the spring capital of Khosrow Parviz that he traveled to every spring.

This city was of the important regions in the Islamic era. It was considered as one of the four important cities in the Abbasid era. Most of the tourists have described it as a prosper city.

Kermanshah, an Integration of Legend and History

Kermanshah is known as the city of history and legend. Actually, many legendary stories have been intertwined with its historical background. For example, some people attribute the formation of this city to Tahmures, the king of Pishdadian legendary Dynasty.

A famous work of Bisotun Historical Site, called Farhad Tarash, is derived from the romantic story of “Shirin and Farhad”. It has been completely described in the poem collection of Nezami Ganjavi.

Historical Attractions of Kermanshah

Bisotun Archeological Site

Bisotun is the most important archeological site of Kermanshah. It is home to a valuable historical collection belonging to prehistoric, pre-Islamic and post-Islamic eras.

Bisotun is located on the foothills of a mountain of the same name. This region is located on the way to an important ancient way. In the north of this site, there is an important ancient road, called Shahi Road, which connected Babul to Ecbatana.
There are 28 historical remanences in Bisotun, 13 of which are listed in UNESCO. The most important one is Bisotun inscription, also known as Darius the Great Inscription. The antiquity of this inscription dates back to 520 BC.

Taq-e Bostan, a Collection of Sassanid Inscriptions

In a close distance from Kermanshah, you can find the remnants of a monument, known as Taq-e Bostan. This structure, dating back to the Sassanid era, is home to a collection of inscriptions.

Apart from historical value, Taq-e Bostan is considerable in terms of art. Many of the inscriptions depict important historical events. Among them, we can refer to Khosro Parwiz coronation, Artaxerxes II coronation and hug hunting ceremony.

Taq-e Bostan has a magnificent verdant nature. The integration of mountain and spring along with historical sites have doubled the fascination of this site. That is why it has always been a recreational site for the tourists.

There are two assumptions about the function of this structure. Some researchers believe that it was Anahita Temple, and some others assume that it is the unfinished palace of Khosro Parwiz.

This structure features two arch-shaped ceilings each of which contains carved images. The left arch is bigger in size and depicts the coronation ceremony of Khosro Parwiz. The smaller arch depicts some engraved inscriptions and the coronation ceremony of Shapur II, and Shapur III.

Anahita Temple, the Worship Place of Water and Beauty Goddess.

Anahita Temple is the second biggest Iranian stone structure after Persepolis. This precious structure is located on a high rock in Kangavar. It is also formed of tall stone columns laid in a row. Each of the columns reach 54 meters high.

Anahita Temple is an antique that belong to the years BC. According to the historical documents, this temple belongs to the Achaemenid, Parthian and Sassanid eras.

Water has a special holiness among Iranian people. Anahita was the goddess of water, beauty and abundance. This temple was used as a worship place to respect Anahita.

Anahita Temple

Taq-e Gara, a Porch with Engraved Patterns

Taq-e Gara, also known as Taq-e Shirin, is a Sassanid-era antiquity. It is located on the way to Sarpol Zahab and a pass called Patagh. Above all, it is located in an ancient road that connected Iran Plateau to Mesopotamia. As a result, some archeologists consider it as a border station.

Taq-e Gara has a porch-structure, which is mainly constructed from stone blocks. In addition, the inner walls are decorated with engraved geometrical patterns.

Ecotourism in Kermanshah

This area has an amazing nature, like the other parts of Iran. It features high mountains having resulted in many phenomena. Among them we can refer to caves, lakes and green slopes.

Quri Qaleh Cave

Quri Qaleh Cave is a water cave which is located in the Shahu Range and belongs to the Mesozoic era. This cave has a calcareous structure which reaches 12 km long.

Quri Qaleh Cave is formed of two sections. The first section is 500 meters long and is accessible for tourists to visit. But to visit the second section, in which you can see the most beautiful cave phenomena, rock climbing skills and equipment are required.

Parva Cave, the Largest Vertical Cave of Iran

Parva Cave is the major and most important cave of Iran. This cave, located among Taq-e Bostan and Bisotun, was discovered about 40 years ago. At the time, it was the longest vertical cave of the world. That is why it was called the Everest of world caves. Finally, this title was removed from Parve cave after the other vertical caves were discovered.

In local dialects, Parva means water rich. This title was given to this cave because it is a water cave. It has been formed as a result of melting underground glaciers. Being so high, this cave is chilling. This cave is 751 meters deep and 1454 meters long.

Hashilan Wetland

Hashilan Wetland is the only wetland of Kermanshah Province. This natural attraction is 450 covers an area of 450 hectors and contains 110 big and small islands. It is surrounded with a wide plain on the slopes.

In terms of aquatic ecosystem, Hashilan Wetland is always noticed by the interested ones to ecotourism. In addition to the migratory birds living around this wetland, some snake species habitat in this area. That is why it is called Hashilan, literally means snake net.

Two Important Dishes of Kermanshah

Dand-e Kebab

Dand-e Kebab is the major dish of this province. The major ingredient that is used in this dish is lamb rib that is roasted in some special skewers. What makes this kebab different is some special spice which is added to this food. In addition, it is served with a special sauce which makes the food more delicious.

Khalal Badam Stew

To mention a popular food in this area, it is Khalal Badam Stew (silvered almond stew) without any doubt. This traditional stew is served in most of the ceremonies and is so popular among tourists. In addition, this food is listed in most menus of the restaurants of this city.

As the name of this food reveals, silvered almond is the main ingredient of this food. In addition, small mutton pieces, black barberry, cardamom, and saffron are added to this food. This food also takes its fragrance from Kermanshahi oil which is a kind of animal oil.

Kermanshah, a Historical City in the Heart of the Tall Zagros Ranges

If you are interested in world heritage sites, visit Kermanshah on your trip to Iran. Because it is home to one of the most famous and glariest world heritage sites in this area. Bisotun historical site has a lot for the interested ones to history and civilization. Along with it, there are some monuments and works that have high importance and magnificence.

1001 Nights Tours has tried to offer this beautiful touristic destination in the form of classic tours. In regards with historical attractions, Iran is on the list of the countries that are home to world heritage sites. This country can be a good destination of the interested ones to history. To know more about world heritage sites, click here.

 

Country: IRAN
State: Kermanshah