Kermanshah as a part of Kurdish region of Iran belongs to ancient history of Persian empires. The city presents a huge influence from Sassanid empire.
Kermanshah is one of the historical capitals of Iran during the Achaemenid and Sassanid empires. The city is a museum of illustrious rock reliefs, and rock cuts inscriptions alongside Zagros Mountain Range. Kermanshah inscriptions narrate stories that make the lover’s heartbeat in west Iran. The historic city of Kermanshah embraces legends and voices in Persian music and arts. Kermanshah opens your eyes to the Kurdish lifestyle in the western part of Iran as an antique city.
Kermanshah, a mountainous region with a moderate climate, is home to inhabitants of diverse nationalities and religions. The ancient city of Kermanshah is proud of being the second royal Sassanid empire accommodation. Kurds of Kermanshah present disparate cultural characters of music, folkloric dance, and food of Aryans with aristocratic customs and traditions.
The art each nation has created in a way with a unique tool of that culture. One of these stunning works is Taq-e Bostan (Bostan Arch). The magnificent masterpiece left from the Sassanid era, with a delightful lake in the front of the monument. Taq-e Bostan isa complex of Sassanid glories embracing rock relief with inscriptions about religious attitudes, music and rejoicing.
The heritage shows the artistic and historical values of the emperors’ ceremonies and hunting. Taq-e Bostan illustrates the Sassanid empire’s majesty in the northeast part of Kermanshah along the Silk Road. The non-ceremonial activities usually focused on outdoor sports and recreation.
Every nation has its beliefs and costumes to worship the elements of creation. To thank these creations, they would even build structures to give a touchy concept.
One of the buildings left from the past is the Anahita Tomb in Kermanshah Province. Achaemenids architected Anahita Temple to worship the goddess of water. Anahita Temple presents the god Anahita edifice, consisting of a temple, peristyle and courtyard. The Parthian and Sassanid empires renovated Anahita temple.
Mosques are not only places for praying, but also for getting together, communicate, and get to know each other. Among all mosques in Iran, Kermanshah Jameh Mosque of Shafi‘i is the crown of the architecture of Persian mosques. Shafei Mosque is in the Ottoman style and the most religious Kermanshah travel highlight.
A group of Sunni benefactors built Shafi Mosque with its long and solid garlands in Kermanshah. Inside the mosque, you will fall in love with the interior design and the plastering. The decoration embraces verses from the Holy Quran that leaving such a peaceful place would be tough! Jameh Mosque of Shafi‘i is a contemporary monument on the foundations of the previous structure in 1324 AH.
Behistun, an outdoor museum from the Paleolithic to the contemporary era, depicts the connection between nature and culture. The sight as a UNESCO World Heritage indicates the most significant archaeological and historical inscriptions of Kermanshah. Behistun historical and cultural complex is on the slopes of Bistoon Mountain in Kermanshah province.
Behistun, as a multicultural and monarchical remain, demonstrate the Greek and Sassanid influence on Persia. The inscription is a vital legacy to humanity because of its historical heritage. The spectacular places with transfer energy take travellers to the exact time of the monument. As well, travellers can discover how our ancestors used to live.
One of the Kermanshah religious features that remained from the Qajar period is the Tekyeh Moaven al-Molk. The Tekyeh, in terms of beauty in architecture and details, is the most miniature Tekyeh in history. Tekyeh Moaven Al Molk is a place, in which people from different ethnic groups resolve disputes together. This 18th-century unique monument catches the eye of the audience with its enchanting tile design and Persia-Islamic stories.
Visiting the Tekyeh Biglarbeygi, travellers have to go to the ancient context of Kermanshah. In front of the Grand Mosque, visitors will reach a historical building dating back to the Qajar period. Tekyeh Biglarbeygi contains such magnificent mirror works that distinguish it from other Tekyehs in the city. Tekyeh embraces a lush courtyard with a pool of water.
Travelers visit a building with a white stone porch and a sloping roof on one side of the courtyard entrance. Abdullah Khan Biglar Beigi built the Biglarbeigi Tekyeh as a unique religious place among other teens in Kermanshah. It seems interesting to know that two historical museums draw museum enthusiasts to the Tekyeh Biglarbeygi. Calligraphy Museum, which embraces documents, records, historical documents, and manuscripts. The Zagros Paleolithic Museum is the only museum of the Paleolithic period in the Middle East.
The taste of originality flavoured with the richness of history means Kermanshah Khalal Stew food.
Sliced Almonds Stew is the original recipe of Kermanshah. The chef cooks the food with three main ingredients; meat, sliced almonds and barberry.
Finely chopped pieces of meat and sliced almonds in water and fried in oil and saffron. Kermanshahi people serve Khalal Stew as their traditional food with rice.
By Plain:
There are no international airline flights available close to the province of Kermanshah. Travellers need to take a flight to one of the international airports and then take a local flight to Kermanshah.
The best option is:
1) Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
Kermanshah is a mountainous city which is cold in winter but moderate in other seasons. The most picturesque moments to visit archaeological sites is from the middle of March to the end of April. Another suitable time could be from the mid of September to the end of November.
Explore city centre, which give you a good idea about religious diversity and ancient times of Kermanshah. Take an excursion to Bisotun Complex and Anahita Temple on the way to Hamedan to feed your soul with history.
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