City Guide: Kermanshah

Kermanshah, located in the western part of Iran and on the border with Iraq, is also the capital of the province with the same name. This is an authentic region where the nomadic culture is still alive and small cattle breeding is a very significant source of living, together with agriculture. What is grown in the region holds a significant place; with the quality of production in agriculture and livestock. In addition to the factories that process the agricultural and animal products; facilities that process mainly petroleum and other underground resources are also at the heart of the economic activity in the region.

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• Tourist Attractions

  The city of Kermanshah was founded at an altitude of 1319 meters and about 535 km away from the capital city Tahran. The history of civilization in the city and its vicinity dates back to 4000 years ago; for that reason, Kermanshah has a very rich heritage from cultural and historical perspectives.

  Zagros Mountains is doubtlessly the most determinative land form of the geography of Kermanshah. Although the climate is slightly gentler in the western part; heading eastward, temperature averages fall.  While the temperature rises as high as 44°C’ in the summer, it falls as low as -27°C in the winter.

  The city, which reached its peak during the Sassanid Empire era, was taken over by the Ottomans in the 15th century. The city was reconstructed during the rule of the Qajar Dynasty in the 18th century. However, it could not escape destruction during the eight year long Iran-Iraq War. 

  The Behistun Inscription can be seen on the mountain with the same name, right next to the city. The name of this treasured area, which was included in UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, means “The Place of God”. The inscriptions include three versions of the same text in three different languages; which are Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian. The inscriptions cover an area that is 15 meters tall and 25 meters wide. The Persian, Akkadian, and Elamite texts comprise of 414, 112, and 593 lines each. The first scientific work on them was conducted in 1835 by a young British officer by the name of Henry Rawlinson. Rawlinson, decrypted and translated the Akkadian text. It was discovered that these texts, the value of which was understood with research that was subsequently conducted, were inscribed on rock walls by the order of Darius I in 522 BC. In the texts, Darius the Great speaks of the battle he fought against his enemies that lasted a total of two and a half years.

  Rock reliefs, the history of which reaches as far back as the 3rd century, from the Sassanid era; are located in the village of Taq-e Bostan located northeast of the city and approximately 5 km away from the center. The walls of the structure, which is made up of two iwans -one big and the other one small-carved into rock, is adorned with reliefs that depict the Sassanid Empire. These works are pointed to as the most graceful and well-preserved examples of the Sassanid era. Illustrations of the crowning ceremonies of Ardashir II and Shapur III who ruled consecutively between 379 and 388 were depicted on the reliefs. The relief about the crowning ceremony of Shapur III is located in a cave that is hand carved as an iwan.  In a bigger second iwan, scenes of the king hunting and a group of horsemen including the king are depicted. There are also reliefs regarding Shapur I, Shapur II, and Khosrau II in the campus.

• Culture & Entertainment

  Museums, Public Squares, Historical Locations, Monuments
  Jameh Mosque was built in the 18th century in the Zandiyeh Dynasty era, in the place where the mosque built in the name of Ali Khan Zangeneh was previously located. The pillared area and the octagonal entry that remain from the old structure of the mosque, can be seen.

  Emad Al Doleh Mosque, which you can easily see in the city region, is a work of art from the Qajar era. This structure, which was renovated and expanded in various times, has also served as a school of religious sciences.

  Dowlatshah Mosque can be visited in Javanshir Square. Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah had the mosque built in the Qajar Dynasty era. This mosque, which is also known by the name of Haj Abu Turab Mosque, was renovated in the recent past and its name was inscribed on its front.

  Moavenal Molk is another religious structure that you can see in the city. It is a place of mourning and prayer, made up of three sections called Hosseinieh, Zeinabieh and Abbasieh. The section that is called tekyeh has 2 courtyards and a building at the center. The walls of Hosseinieh are adorned with quite varied and spectacular colors.

  Among the religious and historical structures of the Qajar Dynasty Era in Moavenal Molk and which were given to the Ministry of Culture by the Moavenol Molk family , Kermanshah Museum can be seen. A large portion of the structure was renovated by the Heritage Organization. The second floor of the building, which is alluring with walls adorned with paintings of scientists, mystics, poets, and kings; is dedicated to the anthropology museum. On the other hand, the archaeological section of the museum can be visited on the first floor.

  ENTERTAINMENT
  Parks, Games, Events, and Natural Areas

  Poraw Cave, within the Zagros Mountain Ridge, is located on the mountain with the same name. This cave, which is located north of the province, is known as the largest calcareous cave. There are 26 wells with depths varying between 5 and 42 meters in the cave, which is believed to have formed in the third geological period.

  Asangaran Cave, northwest of  the Poraw Mountain, can be seen on a mountain pass called Tang Kouh.  In this cave, located on the 22nd kilometer of the Kermanshah-Sanandaj Road, there are four wells with depths of 4, 8, 16, and 36 meters. The cave, which has a pool-like section at the end, is known as one of the most beautiful caves in the country.

  Sarab Niloufer is located approximately 30 km away and northwest of Kermanshah. This wetland area on the Kouzran road is like a large pool adorned with lillies. This area, where fishing is permitted, is also popular as a recreational area among the local people.

  KERMANSHAH IN ONE DAY
  Things to do in Kermanshah that you need to fit into one day are quite many. Emad Al Doleh Mosque, Jameh Mosque, Kohneh Bridge, Behistun Inscription and the Statue of Heracles in the same campus, Taq-e Bostan, and the Temple of Anahita should definitely be included in the list.

  CITY TOURS AND TRANSPORTATION
  Azadi Square is a center that marks the intersection of the four directions of the city. You can reach almost anywhere by taking the inner city buses and share taxis from the terminal at this spot. You should head to Moallem Square and Khordat Square to reach Taq-e Bostan and the airport respectively. The buses operate up until approximately 20.30.

  NEARBY LOCATIONS
  The list of places to see nearby is quite long; Dinavar, the Neolithic settlement area Ganj Dareh, Essaqwand Rock Tombs, Malek Tomb, Sorkh Deh Neolithic age tomb, Ghoori Ghale, Parav and Do-Ashkaft caves, Qajar era tekyeh Moavenal Molk, Dokan Davuud Inscription, Sar Pol-e-Zahab with wall reliefs, Taq-e Gara, Patagh Pass, the wetland area known as Sarab Niloufar,  Godin Tepe archaeological area, Bas relief of Gotarzes II of Parthia, and Anobanini bas relief should be included among these places.

• Food & Drink

  Although it differs in urban and rural areas in terms of variety, Kermanshah has a very rich cuisine. Soups and special breads, kebabs, and meatballs present the general characteristics of the cuisine. Most of the foods known by the name of Ash, Koofteh Berenji, Shami Kebab, Shirdak, and Kashkak are consumed in Anatolia as well.

• Shopping

  The covered market called Kermanshah Bazaar is a large and quite historical structure. This marketplace, which is an example of the Qajar era architecture, was built in a magnificent style. Among what you can find here are; carpet, rug, and jijim rug weaving, leather and woodworking, and shoes called giveh that are unique to the area. These can also be regarded as the industries which are carried out through manual labor and which are active in the region.

Ticket Sales Offices: Kermanshah

• Kermanshah: Airport Map Information

  Kermanshah Ashrafi Esfahani Intl. Airport

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• Kermanshah: Airport Map Information