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Located in the middle of the western part of Iran, Kermanshah province covers an area of 2443.25 sq km, it is bounded on the north by the province of Kurdistan, on the south by the provinces of Lorestan and Ilam, on the east by Hamadan and on the west by Iraq. It is cold in the mountainous regions and mild in the plains. The most well-known mountains of Kermanshah are Kooh-e-sefid, Paru, Bazi Deraz. The Plains are in Kangavar, Sahneh and Islam Abad districts. These broad plains are watered by rivers such as Dinor, Khorram Rood, Gamasyab and Gharasu.) The mirages and several ponds such as Ravansar, Bistun and songhor are some of the impressive natural beauty of the province. The beauty of nature in Richap, Tagh-e-Bostan and Bistun catch everyones eye.Cities Bistoun, Tagh-e-Bousan, Javan Rood, Islam Abad-e-Gharb, Kangavar, Godin Tappeh, Sar Pol-e-Zahab, Songhor, Temple of Anahita, Ghasr-e-Shirin, Pol-e-safavi, Gilan-e-Gharb, Customs-Souvenirs.
A spring and a waterfall are situated north of the narrow orchard-alleys of Sahneh, beyond which lies Bistoun, meaning the place of gods. Bistoun has ancient Iranian scripts engraved on rocks that are historically interesting and valuable.
On the southern side of Islamabad-e Gharb is the Barfabad River. During the rainy season, a beautiful and large lake appears behind the river. Another 30 kms. towards the west lies Karand, a beautiful green city with a majestic pond. The tombs of the inhabitants' ancient ancestors such as Benyamin, Pir Mousa and Baba Yadegar are among the interesting places to visit. Several kilometers down the road is Sahneh, an ancient city. A Median temple, which dates back to 708-505 BC, is located at Darband cliff on Shogh-Ali mountain. People call it the mausoleum of Shirin and Farhad (the Iranian equivalent of Romeo and Juliet). The winged sun, as the symbol of Ahouramazda (God in Zoroastrian), is engraved on the monument.
To the west of Karand are villages, mountains and plains full of ancient
fire-temples, carvings and sculptures. Most of them are located in the mountains
and hills of Sar-e Pol-e Zahab. These include the sculpture of Anoubanini, the
Assyrian king; the carved inscription of an Akad king; a tomb from the Median
era called Kal Davoud; an Arscacian inscription; and another inscription in the
Babylonian cuneiform belonging to the Babylonian Kassi kings during the 2nd
millennium BC.
In the Ghal'eh Shahin Village is the huge Ghal'eh Maryam (Maryam's Fort) from
the Sassanian era. At the end of this long and picturesque way is Ghasr-e Shirin
(Shirin's Palace), a beautiful city, which had been devastated by the war.
However, the city holds an immortal part of history in its bosom.
Ghasr e Shirin is on the path of Khosrow Parviz' passage from Tisfoun to Tagh-e
Bostan. Ghadamgah-e Shirin and the palace ruins bear witness to the above fact.
Ghar-e Shirin, encompassing more than one million square meters, was the
zoological garden in the time of Khosrow. But this is not the end of the path.
On the way to the Karand junction on Sar-e Pol-e Zahab are the mountains
Rijap and Dalahou, which offer amazing sights.
Evidence indicated that this
province has been the home of man since the Paleolithic and Neolithic age.
Considering the historical monuments found in Kermanshah, it was very glorious
in the Achaemenid and Sasanian eras and was highly regarded by the kings of
those times. In the Islamic period, especially in the Safavid period, it made
greatprogress. Kurds, Lors, Arabs and Turks are propels living in this province.
In addition to the inhabitants of the towns and villa-gees, there are many
nomadic societies throughout the province. The predominant language is Farsi but
other languages are also spoken.From the Paleolithic time to the present, this
district has been the home of many peoples.
According to historical documents, It has been always an important center.
Considering its great antiquity and its various historical monuments, this city
can represent a remarkable part of the history of Iran. Of the historical
monuments in the city itself. Pol-e-kohne (meaning old bridge) having the
herring bone arches made of bricks, and jame mosque.
The monuments belonging to the Sassanian era as well as a carvansary and a
bridge from the Safavid period, indicate the high importance of this district in
different ages. In short, Bistun can be called a living museum of the Iranian
civilization from ancient times to the present.
This monument,
dating back to the Sassanian period, is located 5 km
north-east of the city. This
world-famous monument has two magnificent arches carved on the mountain with
extreme deterity. One part of the carving represents a hunting in which the king
is hunting and some animals are running away. Javan rood Located in a
mountainous area, this town is in the north-west of the province. A mong its
historical monumets there are the catacombs of Ravansar, dating back to the
Median period.
Thagh e Bostan ( ArdeshirII )
Tagh-e Bostan has survived from the era of Khosrow II, known as Parviz, the proud Sassanid king. Parviz' statue, with a spear on his shoulder and riding his horse Shabdiz, is sculptured on stone. It is in the heart of the Parow Mountain under a rocky ledge. Sculptures belonging to Ardeshir II, Shapour II and Shapour III are also visible in its vicinity.
Tagh e Bostan
A giant statue named after Hercules, belonging to the Arscacian era. It was unearthed during the recent road-building operations. On the statue's back is a Greek inscription, which is reminiscent of the Greek's attack on Iran.
Hercule's Statue
