Taq-e-Bostan
Taq-e Bostan is an important relic from the Sasanian period and a popular tourist attraction in Kermanshah. Taq in Persian means a large Arch. It is located on the slopes of the mountain with the same name, in the northeast of the current outskirts of Kermanshah. Kings throughout history have used art to show and immortalize their glory not only for their people but for all of history. One of the ways they did this was by carving on rocks and mountains and creating reliefs of important events and occurrences of the time. Taq-e Bostan is known as the hunting ground of Iranian kings and is the first petroglyph in the world that correctly incorporates the rules and principles of painting.
History
During the reign of the Sassanid kings, the Persepolis historical complex was considered the prime location to carve statues. However, after Ardeshir II’s reign, who ruled from 379-383 AD, Taq-e Bostan was chosen to create stone inscriptions. This decision was influenced by the location, which was situated in the middle of the Silk Road and had beautiful natural surroundings, including a stunning spring with blue water that added to its charm. The collection consists of several petroglyphs believed to date back to the third century AD, during the reign of the Sassanid kings, according to some archaeologists and historians.
The reliefs and inscriptions of Taq-e-Bostan
Taq-e Bostan holds great significance for historians and archaeologists as it reveals the art and history of ancient Iran in all its glory. It sheds light on several historical events of the Sassanid era, depicting the coronation of kings such as Shapur II and III, Ardeshir II, and Khosrow II through stone inscriptions in Pahlavi script. The art and motifs carved on these inscriptions are a testament to the elegance, precision, and mastery of the artists of that time, with even the smallest details captured in exquisite detail. Additionally, the collection features engravings of musicians from the Sassanid era, highlighting how paintings and music were valued as important works of art.
Iwan of Khosrow II
The large porch has three paintings on its back wall, which are generally believed to represent Khosrow Parviz along with Ahuramazda and Anahita placed next to him. These paintings are positioned above an Iranian knight who is thought to be Khosrow himself riding his favorite horse, Shabdiz. However, there is no agreement on the exact identification of this late Sassanid king. The two figures present in the paintings are sometimes considered to be the gods Ahuramazda and Anahita, or the priest and the priestess.
small arch
The smaller arch of the Taq-e-Bostan complex is a rectangular space with a height of approximately 3.5 meters, a width of 9.5 meters, and a depth of 3.8 meters. Its entrance is flanked by two square pillars, each measuring around 7.3 meters in height and 9 centimeters in width. While the smaller arch is less decorated than the larger one, it is considered more valuable by archaeologists. This is due to the presence of two stone inscriptions in the Pahlavi script, located on either side of the arch. At the end of the space, there is a prominent image of two people. The small arch contains carvings of the faces of kings such as Shapur II and Shapur III, which are both interesting and remarkable in their own right.
Boar hunting relief
According to the estimates of architectural experts and archaeologists, it seems that the creators of this historical work have also sculpted the boar hunting scene inside a frame with a width of 4.13 meters and a length of 5.7 meters. In its left part, there are 12 elephants placed in five vertical rows, with the image of two riders engraved on each of them. It seems that the elephant keepers are busy pulling the boars out of the swamp shelter into the reeds. Above the boar hunting scene, a rowing boat can be seen, with five people inside them, holding hands. The king can be seen in the boat surrounded by female musicians, right in the center of the hunting scene. With his bow and arrow, he shoots at two boars that are running towards him. Inside the king’s boat, there are also pictures of four other people, who seem to be the first and last people, the oarsmen, the second person is the king’s servant, and the fourth person is the harp player. Behind the king’s boat, another boat is depicted carrying four female musicians. They seem to be playing the harp. On the right side of the stage, the end of the boar hunt is shown.
Mohammad Ali Mirza relief
During the Qajar rule in the 19th century, Mohammad Ali Mirza created a relief inscription in the Taq-e-Bostan Complex located in Kermanshah. However, the manipulations made during the inscription caused significant damage to this magnificent and vast collection of ancient Iran, leading to much regret.
The Taq-e-Bostan area offers more than what has been mentioned previously. After exploring the area, you can also visit the Stone Museum situated in the north of Taq-e-Bostan Boulevard. The museum houses an open space that showcases stone artworks from the Sasanian and Islamic periods, including Sasanian capitals that feature figures like Anahita, Ahura Mazda, and the Tree of Life, a bust believed to be of Khosrow II, and remains of the Qajar Palace of Qasr-e-Shirin.
Visiting hours
Tourists can visit Taq-e-Bostan Historical Complex between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in summer and until 5:30 p.m. in winter.
