About 9 km North of Kermanshah and favorite outgoing spot for picnickers, "Tagh Bostan" may not be the oldest, but is certainly one of the more eye-catching reminders of pre-Islamic Persia.

Perfectly accessible at ground level and set behind artificial pool, the intricately and very beautifully decorated grottoes of Taq Bostan record royal life spanning over 200 years of Sassanid era.

Planned as trio of grottoes, only two were finished, the centerpiece and the small one on its left.

On the cliff face, next to the small grotto, is bas-relief of the investiture of Ardeshir II, in 4th century AD. Ardeshir is shown accepting diadem from Zoroastrian God, Ahura Mazda. Behind him is God Mithras, with halo of solar rays and holding bundle of scared twings.

Ardeshir's son, Shahpour III, cut the small grotto showing himself and his grandfather and accompanying inscription in Pahlavi Language.

There may have been a lapse of between 80 to 200 years between cutting of the side and centerpiece grottoes.

King Khosro II (591-628 AD) is shown on the back wall riding his favorite horse "Shabdiz" in full armor, and in the top panel, investitures by Ahura Mazda and what may be the goddess of water, Anahita.

The entrance of the central grotto is decorated with strange "Tree of Life", recalling older Elamite and Assyrian symbols and angel-like winged figures.

Channels on the floor and walls indicate the enclosure may at one time have been hidden behind gates.

The two sides walls are decorated with some of the most astonishing bas-reliefs anywhere, showing the king hunting boar and stag in a boat in marches and on horseback. Massed elephants are helping drive the boar into the reeds and musicians provide the king and his nobleman with entertainment.

By the artificial poll and near the grottoes is motley collection of capitals and statuary, their origin a source of much controversy. They may have come from intended palace nearby, or from Bisotoun or still from temple planned for Khosro's over-sized tableau West of Bisotoun.

Tagh Bostan: Bas-Relief