Taq-e Bostan
Archaeological Site Sassanid rock reliefs and royal caves near Kermanshah
Near Kermanshah, Taq-e Bostan preserves Sassanid rock reliefs and carved arches depicting royal hunts and investitures; visitors examine well-preserved stone bas-reliefs and nearby spring-fed pools.
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Taq-e Bostan is a site of large Sassanian rock reliefs and rock-cut architecture near the city of Kermanshah in western Iran, carved into a limestone cliff. The panels show royal investiture and hunting scenes and are important examples of late Sassanian imperial art.
The carved reliefs date to the Sassanian period and include multiple large panels featuring standing and mounted royal figures, crowns and courtly imagery. A shallow rock-cut arch and water basin near the reliefs are part of the visual composition.
The site was used and honoured in the Sassanian era and later; it has been the subject of conservation and archaeological study because of the quality and scale of the stone carving. The imagery is often cited in studies of Sassanian royal ideology and art.
Taq-e Bostan is located just outside Kermanshah in western Iran, a short drive north of the city centre, and is accessible as a roadside archaeological monument.
- Major reliefs: The larger reliefs include equestrian and investiture scenes of Sassanian kings, notably a relief associated with Khosrow II.
How to Get to Taq-e Bostan #
Taq-e Bostan is about 5-6 km west of Kermanshah city center. It is accessible by car or taxi from Kermanshah; local buses and organized tours also include the site in regional heritage itineraries.
Tips for Visiting Taq-e Bostan #
- Visit late afternoon for the most dramatic light on the rock reliefs - the carved figures pick up shadow and detail as the sun drops.
- Wear sun protection and carry water; the site is exposed with little shade, especially in summer.
- Combine the visit with a trip to the nearby Behistun inscriptions and local Kurdish handicraft markets to round out the regional history.
Best Time to Visit Taq-e Bostan #
Best in spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures and the best light on the rock carvings; summer can be very hot.
Weather & Climate near Taq-e Bostan #
Taq-e Bostan's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 37°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with 94 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 37°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 36°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 32°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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