Kermanshah

{{Short description|City in Kermanshah province, Iran}} {{for|other places with the same name|Kermanshah (disambiguation){{!}}Kermanshah}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Kermanshah | native_name = {{ubl|{{nativename|fa|کرمانشاه}}|{{nativename|sdh|کرماشان}}}} | native_name_lang = fa | settlement_type = City | image_skyline = {{multiple image |perrow = 1/2/2/1 |border = infobox |total_width = 280 |image1 = Kermanshah Photos M6.jpg |caption1 = Skyline of Kermanshah |image2 = Biglarbeygi.jpg |caption2 = [[Takyeh Beyglarbeygi]] |image3 = Emad al-Doleh Mosque 2018-06-23 04.jpg |caption3 = [[Emad o dolah Mosque]] |image4 = Tiling of Takieh Mo'aven ol-Molk, Kermanshah.jpg |caption4 = [[Takyeh Moaven-ol-Molk]] |image5 = Jameh Mosque of Shafei 1397070110263819315473324.jpg |caption5 = [[Jameh Mosque of Shafei]] |image6 = طاق بستان 2.jpg |caption6 = [[Taq-e Bostan]] }} | image_seal = Kermanshah government logo.svg | nicknames = The Land of History & Myths; The Land of Eternal Lovers; The Land of Shirin & Farhad | imagesize = | image_caption = | pushpin_map = Iran | mapsize = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Iran]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Iran|Province]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Kermanshah Province|Kermanshah]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Counties of Iran|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Kermanshah County|Kermanshah]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Bakhsh (administrative division)|District]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Central District (Kermanshah County)|Central]] | leader_title = [[Mayor]] | leader_name = Nader Norouzi | established_title = Established date | established_date = 390 AD | area_total_km2 = | area_footnotes = | population_as_of = 2016 | population_urban = 946651<ref name="2016 Kermanshah Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): Kermanshah Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=amar.org.ir|url=https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_05.xlsx|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403212203/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_05.xlsx|format=Excel|archive-date=3 April 2022}}</ref> | population_metro = 1083833<ref>[https://www.amar.org.ir/english/Population-and-Housing-Censuses Population and Housing Censuses] at Statistical Center of Iran website.</ref> | population_est = | population_est_as_of = | population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]] | population_blank1 = Kermashani, [[Kermanshahi]] | population_density_km2 = auto | timezone = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]] | utc_offset = +3:30 | coordinates = {{coord|34|20|13|N|47|05|28|E|dim:6km|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite map |author=((OpenStreetMap contributors)) |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=34.336944&mlon=47.091111&zoom=13#map=13/34.33694/47.09111|website=[[OpenStreetMap]] |title=Kermanshah, Kermanshah County|date=11 December 2024|access-date=11 December 2024|lang=fa}}</ref> | elevation_m = 1350 | blank_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]] | blank_info = [[Mediterranean climate#Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|Csa]] | website = {{URL|http://kermanshah.ir}} | postal_code_type = [[Postal code]] | postal_code = 67146 | area_code = 083 | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 10 | mapframe-wikidata = yes }}

'''Kermanshah''' ({{langx|fa|کرمانشاه|Kermânšâh}}, {{IPA|fa|kʰʲeɾmɒːnˈʃɒːʰ|pron|fa-Kermanshah.ogg}}; {{Langx|sdh|کرماشان|Kirmaşan}}.<ref>{{GEOnet3|-3070245}}</ref>) is a city in the [[Central District (Kermanshah County)|Central District]] of [[Kermanshah province|Kermanshah]] province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district.<ref name="Kermanshah Province Structure">{{cite report|title=Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the national divisions of Bakhtran province, centered in the city of Bakhtran|language=fa|website=rc.majlis.ir|via=Research Center of the System of Laws of the Islamic Council of Farabi Mobile Library|url=https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/113024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206215420/https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/show/113024|publisher=Ministry of the Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Board|last=Habibi|first=Hassan|archive-date=6 February 2013|date=19 November 2013|orig-date=Approved 21 June 1369|id=Proposal 3233.1.5.53; Letter 93808/907; Notification 82832/T122K|access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref> The city is {{convert|525|km|0|abbr=off}} from [[Tehran]] in the western part of the country. The 2016 [[Census|National Census]] measured the population of the city as 946,651<ref name="2016 Kermanshah Province" /> (2025 estimate 1,117,000).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kermanshah, Iran Metro Area Population 1950-2025 {{!}} MacroTrends |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/21502/kermanshah/population |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}</ref>

==Etymology== "Kermanshah" derives from the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian era]] title ''Kirmanshah'', which translates as "King of Kerman".<ref name="Kia">{{cite book|last1=Kia|first1=Mehrdad|title=The Persian Empire: A Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]|date=2016|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1610693912|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B5BHDAAAQBAJ&q=false|pages=236–237}}</ref> This title was held by the son of [[Shapur III]], Prince Bahram, who was bestowed with the title upon being appointed governor of the province of [[Kirman (Sasanian province)|Kirman]] (present-day [[Kerman Province]]).<ref>{{cite book | last = Brunner | first = Christopher | chapter = Geographical and Administrative divisions: Settlements and Economy| title = The Cambridge History of Iran: The Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian periods (2) | year = 1983 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | location=Cambridge | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=y7IHmyKcPtYC&q=false | isbn = 978-0-521-24693-4| page=767 }}</ref><ref name="Kia" /> Later, in 390, when he had already succeeded his father as [[Bahram IV| Bahram IV Kirmanshah]] ({{reign}}388–399), he founded the city and his title was applied to it, i.e. "(City of the) King of Kirman".<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Everett-Heath |first1=John | article = Kermānshāh | title=The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names |date=2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0191866326 |edition=4|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191866326.001.0001/acref-9780191866326-e-3584?rskey=PMUnhK&result=1}}</ref><ref>{{ODLA|last=Daryaee|first=Touraj|author-link=Touraj Daryaee|title=Bahram IV|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198662778.001.0001/acref-9780198662778-e-606?rskey=PMUnhK&result=7}}</ref>

==History== {{Historical populations|percentages = pagr |1986| 560,514|1991|624,084|1996|692,986|2006|794,863|2011|851,405|align=right|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.citypopulation.de/en/iran/cities/ Iran: Provinces and Cities population statistics]</ref>|2016|946,651}}

===Prehistory=== Kermanshah is considered one of the [[Cradle of civilization|cradles]] of [[Prehistory|prehistoric]] cultures. According to archaeological surveys and excavation, the Kermanshah area has been occupied by prehistoric people since the [[Lower Paleolithic]] period, and continued to later [[Paleolithic]] periods until late [[Pleistocene]] period. The Lower Paleolithic evidence consists of some [[hand axe]]s found in the Gakia area to the east of the city. The [[Middle Paleolithic]] remains have been found in various parts of the province, especially in the northern vicinity of the city in Tang-e Kenesht, [[Malaverd|Tang-e Malaverd]] and near [[Taq-e Bostan]].

[[Neanderthal]] Man existed in the Kermanshah region during this period and the only discovered skeletal remains of this early human in Iran was found in three caves and [[rock shelter]] situated in Kermanshah province.<ref>{{cite web |title=New study sheds light on second Neanderthal tooth found in western iran |url=https://s18.picofile.com/file/8440107476/Tehran_Times_Aug_2021_Yawan_Neanderthal.pdf.html |website=Tehran Times - 29 August 2021 |publisher=Tehran Times |access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref> The known Paleolithic caves in this area are [[Warwasi]], [[Qosbeh-ye Maniat|Qobeh]], [[Malaverd]] and [[Do-Ashkaft Cave]]. The region was also one of the first places in which human settlements including [[Asiab, Omidiyeh|Asiab]], [[Qazanchi]], Sarab, [[Chia Jani]], and [[Ganj Dareh|Ganj-Darreh]] were established between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago.

This is about the same time that the first [[Pottery|potteries]] pertaining to Iran were made in [[Ganj Dareh|Ganj-Darreh]], near present-day [[Harsin]].

In May 2009, based on a research conducted by the university of [[Hamadan]] and [[University College London|UCL]], the head of Archeology Research Center of [[Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism|Iran's Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization]] announced that one of the oldest [[prehistoric]] villages in the [[Middle East]] dating back to 9800 B.P. was discovered in [[Sahneh County|Sahneh]], located west of Kermanshah.<ref name="ISNA">{{cite web |url=http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1344672&Lang=E |title=Most ancient Mid East village discovered in western Iran |year=2009 |access-date=2009-05-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201033414/http://www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1344672&Lang=E |archive-date=2010-02-01 }}</ref><ref name="خبرگزاري دانشجويان ايران">{{cite web| url =http://kermanshah.isna.ir/mainnews.php?ID=News-22054| title =با 11800 سال قدمت، قديمي‌ترين روستاي خاورميانه در كرمانشاه كشف شد| year =2009| access-date =2009-05-23| archive-date =3 December 2022| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20221203180929/https://kermanshah.isna.ir/mainnews.php?ID=News-22054| url-status =dead}}</ref>

Remains of later village occupations and early [[Bronze Age]] are found in a number of mound sites in the city itself.

The city contains 4 archaeological mound sites: Chogha Kaboud, [[Chogha Golan]], Morad Hasel, and [[Tappa Gawri]].

===Sassanid Kermanshah=== In ancient [[Iranian folklore|Iranian]] [[myth]]ology, construction of the city is attributed to [[Tahmuras]], the third king of [[Pishdadian]] dynasty. It is believed that the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanians]] have constructed Kermanshah and [[Bahram IV]] (he was called Kermanshah, meaning king of [[Kerman]]) gave his name to this city.<ref>[http://www.loghatnaameh.com/dehkhodaworddetail-3dad73773a1c4e78844374111c1a94fb-fa.html Dehkhoda: Kermanshah] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511180623/http://www.loghatnaameh.com/dehkhodaworddetail-3dad73773a1c4e78844374111c1a94fb-fa.html|date=2011-05-11}}.</ref>

Kermanshah became the capital city of the [[Sasanian Empire]], as well as being a significant [[Community health center|health center]] for Sasanian kings, serving as their summer resort. In AD 226, following a two-year war led by the Persian Emperor, [[Ardashir I]], against "[[Kurdish population|Kurdish]]" tribes in the region. At the time, the term "[[Kurds|Kurd]]" was used as a social term, designating Iranian [[nomad]]s, rather than a concrete ethnic group.<ref>J. Limbert. (1968). The Origins and Appearance of the Kurds in Pre-Islamic Iran. ''Iranian Studies'', 1.2: pp. 41-51.</ref><ref>G. Asatrian. (2009). Prolegemona to the Study of Kurds. ''Iran and the Caucasus'', 13.1: pp. 1-58.</ref> The word became an [[Kurds|ethnic identity]] in the 12th and 13th century.<ref>James, Boris. (2006). Uses and Values of the Term Kurd in Arabic Medieval Literary Sources. ''Seminar at the American University of Beirut'', pp. 6-7.</ref><ref name="MartinIdentity">Martin van Bruinessen, "The ethnic identity of the Kurds," in: ''Ethnic groups in the Republic of Turkey'', compiled and edited by Peter Alford Andrews with Rüdiger Benninghaus [=Beihefte zum Tübinger Atlas des Vorderen Orients, Reihe B, Nr.60]. Wiesbaden: Dr. Ludwich Reichert, 1989, pp. 613–21. excerpt: "The ethnic label "Kurd" is first encountered in Arabic sources from the first centuries of the Islamic era; it seemed to refer to a specific variety of pastoral nomadism, and possibly to a set of political units, rather than to a linguistic group: once or twice, "Arabic Kurds" are mentioned. By the 10th century, the term appears to denote nomadic and/or transhumant groups speaking an Iranian language and mainly inhabiting the mountainous areas to the South of Lake Van and Lake Urmia, with some offshoots in the Caucasus. ... If there was a Kurdish-speaking subjected peasantry at that time, the term was not yet used to include them."[http://www.let.uu.nl/~Martin.vanBruinessen/personal/publications/Bruinessen_Ethnic_identity_Kurds.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015152331/http://www.let.uu.nl/~Martin.vanBruinessen/personal/publications/Bruinessen_Ethnic_identity_Kurds.pdf|date=2015-10-15}}</ref> Within the dynasty known as the [[House of Kayus]] (also ''Kâvusakân'') remained a semi-independent kingdom lasting until AD 380 before [[Ardashir II]] removed the dynasty's last ruling member.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

===Islamic era===

Kermanshah was conquered by the [[Arabs]] in 629 AD. Under [[Seljuks|Seljuk]] rule in the eleventh century, it became a cultural and commercial center in western [[Iran]] and the southern [[Kurds|Kurdish]]-inhabited areas as a whole. It was sacked by the [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]] under [[Hulegu Khan|Hulegu]] in 1257, shortly before the [[Siege of Baghdad (1258)|sack of Baghdad]]. The [[Safavids]] fortified the town, and the [[Qajars]] repulsed an attack by the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] during [[Fath Ali Shah]]'s rule (1797–1834).

Kermanshah was occupied by [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] between 1723–1729 and 1731–1732.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

===Modern history=== [[File: Fpkermanshah.jpg| thumb|Queen [[Farah Pahlavi]] on a visit to Kermanshah, 1963]] Occupied by the [[Imperial Russian Army]] in 1914, followed by the [[Ottoman Army (1861–1922)|Ottoman Army]] in 1915 during [[World War I]], it was evacuated in 1917 when the [[British Armed Forces|British forces]] arrived there to expel the Ottomans. Kermanshah played an important role in the [[Iranian Constitutional Revolution]] during the late [[Qajar Iran|Qajar era]] and the Republic Movement in the [[Pahlavi Iran|Pahlavi era]]. The city was harshly damaged during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] in 1980 to 1988, and although it was rebuilt, it has not yet fully recovered.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

On 3 January 2026, during the [[2025–2026 Iranian protests]] and [[2026 Iran massacres]], [[Killing of Reza Ghanbari|Reza Ghanbari]], a 17-year-old Kurdish minor, was killed during protests in the Jafarabad neighborhood of Kermanshah. Security authorities reportedly pressured the family to describe Ghanbari as affiliated with the [[Basij]] and to attribute his death to protesters, which the family declined.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |title=جان‌باختن یک نوجوان کورد در کرماشان بر اثر تیراندازی نیروهای سپاه پاسداران|url=https://farsi.anf-news.com/%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA_%DA%A9%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/janbakhtn-yk-nwjwan-kwrd-dr-krmashan-br-athr-tyrandazy-nyrwhay-spah-pasdaran-98365|access-date=6 January 2026|website=ANF News|language=fa}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=KHRN|date=5 January 2026|title=KHRN: کرمانشاه؛ کشته‌شدن یک کودک معترض با تیراندازی نیروهای سپاه پاسداران|url=https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/killing-citizens/2026/01/05/p46150|access-date=6 January 2026|website=KHRN|language=fa}}</ref> On 8 January, five protesters were killed by gunfire by government security forces and ten members of the [[Kermanshah Nabi Akram Corps]] were killed in Kermanshah.<ref name="Hengaw_5Kurdish_Kermanshah">{{cite Q|Q137754067|url-status=live}}</ref> {| |[[File:Clay human figurine (Fertility goddess) Tappeh Sarab, Kermanshah ca. 7000-6100 BCE Neolithic period, National Museum of Iran.jpg|thumb|Clay human figurine (Fertility goddess) Tappeh Sarab, Kermanshah, {{circa|7000–6100 BCE}}, Neolithic period, [[National Museum of Iran]]]] |[[File:Bistoon Kermanshah.jpg|thumb|Hellenistic-era depiction of [[Verethragna|Bahram]] as [[Hercules]] carved in 153 BC]] |}

==Demographics== ===Population=== At the time of the 2006 census, the city's population was 784,602 in 202,588 households.<ref name="2006 Kermanshah Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006): Kermanshah Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=amar.org.ir|url=http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/05.xls|access-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920094844/http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/05.xls|format=Excel|archive-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> The following census in 2011 counted 851,405 people in 242,311 households.<ref name="2011 Kermanshah Province">{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): Kermanshah Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=irandataportal.syr.edu|via=Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University|url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Kermanshah.xls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118172226/https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Kermanshah.xls|archive-date=18 January 2023|access-date=19 December 2022|format=Excel}}</ref> The last census measured the population of the city as 946,651 in 2016<ref name="2016 Kermanshah Province" /> and the 2025 estimate is around 1,117,000.<ref name=":0" />

=== Language === The languages in Kermanshah are [[Southern Kurdish]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=KERMANSHAH vii. LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS |url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kermanshah-07-languages/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=Encyclopaedia Iranica |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=رنجبر |first=‌کتایون |date=1 October 1386 |title=دوزبانگی در میان دانش آموزان ساکن شهرهای کرمانشاه و پاوه |url=https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/articlepage/1078790/%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%86-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%88-%D9%BE%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%87 |journal=مجموعه مقالات دانشگاه علامه طباطبایی |language=fa |volume=220 |pages=785–798}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zarei |first1=Ghodrat |last2=Dabirmghaddam |first2=Mohammad |date=2024-04-20 |title=The Southern Kurdish (Kermashani Dialect) Status Use in Kermanshah: Language Maintenance or Shift? |url=https://zaban.guilan.ac.ir/article_8615.html?lang=en |journal=Persian Language and Iranian Dialects |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |doi=10.22124/plid.2025.27593.1682 |issn=2476-6585}}</ref> and [[Persian language|Persian]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Azizi |first1=Mina |last2=Saberi |first2=Kourosh |last3=Moradkhani |first3=Shahab |date=2024-03-20 |title=Studying Speakers' Attitudes towards Kurdish, Kermanshahi Persian, and Standard Persian in Kermanshah Using Matched Guise Technique |url=https://jlw.razi.ac.ir/article_2659_en.html |journal=Research in Western Iranian Languages and Dialects |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=55–71 |doi=10.22126/jlw.2023.8847.1688 |issn=2345-2579}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Jalilian Tabar |first=Farahnaz |date=August 2016 |title=The Study of Kurdish & Persian Languages Use in Kermanshah |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.0608.19 |journal=Theory and Practice in Language Studies |volume=6 |issue=8 |pages=1652–1658 |doi=10.17507/tpls.0608.19 |issn=1799-2591 |via=ResearchGate}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Azizi |first1=Mina |last2=Saberi |first2=Kourosh |last3=Moradkhani |first3=Shahab |date=2024-03-20 |title=Studying Speakers' Attitudes towards Kurdish, Kermanshahi Persian, and Standard Persian in Kermanshah Using Matched Guise Technique |url=https://jlw.razi.ac.ir/article_2659.html?lang=en |journal=Research in Western Iranian Languages and Dialects |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=55–71 |doi=10.22126/jlw.2023.8847.1688 |issn=2345-2579}}</ref> The [[Kurdish language]] spoken in the city is called Kermashani, which is a variety of Southern Kurdish.<ref>Borjian, Habib (2024). Kermāšāni: The Kurdish Dialect of Kermanshah. WORD, 70(3), 199–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/00437956.2024.2381338</ref> People in the city speak [[Kermanshahi Persian]], a local dialect which differs from standard Persian.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre |first=Carleton University |title=Atlas of the Languages of Iran |url=https://iranatlas.net/index.html?module=module.language-distribution.kermanshah |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=iranatlas.net |language=English}}</ref> The city has the largest Kurdish population in Iran.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shahrekhabar.com/economic/1425128820035607|title=معاون امور عمرانی استانداری: کرمانشاه بزرگترین شهر کردنشین جهان است - ایرنا|website=شهرخبر|date=28 February 2015 |access-date=2019-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/1563659/کرمانشاه-پرجمعیت-ترین-شهر-کردنشین-ایران|title=کرمانشاه؛ پرجمعیت ترین شهر کردنشین ایران|date=2012-03-23|website=خبرگزاری مهر {{!}} اخبار ایران و جهان {{!}} Mehr News Agency|language=fa|access-date=2019-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urmianews.ir/archive/ID/111419 |title=اورمیا - بزرگترین شهر کردنشین جهان مشخص شد |access-date=2016-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327203915/http://www.urmianews.ir/archive/ID/111419 |archive-date=2016-03-27 }}</ref> The predominance of Kurdish in the city has been the subject of several sociolinguistic studies documenting ongoing language maintenance and strong intergenerational transmission of the Kermashani dialect alongside bilingualism in Persian.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zarei|first=Ghodrat|last2=Dabirmoghaddam|first2=Mohammad|date=2024|title=The Southern Kurdish (Kermashani Dialect) Status Use in Kermanshah: Language Maintenance or Shift?|journal=Persian Language and Iranian Dialects|volume=9|issue=1|doi=10.22124/plid.2025.27593.1682}}</ref> Recent studies show the Persian dominance on Kurdish in all different social contexts, including family, friendship, neighborhood, business, education, and office contexts in the city.<ref name=":1" /> The ''[[Encyclopaedia Iranica]]'' characterises Kermashani as the primary vernacular of the city and situates it within the broader continuum of Southern Kurdish dialects spoken across the Zagros region.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|last=Borjian|first=Habib|year=2016|title=KERMANSHAH vii. Languages and Dialects|encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Iranica|url=https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kermanshah-vii}}</ref>

=== Religion === Most of the inhabitants of Kermanshah are [[Shia Islam|Shia]] Muslims, but there are also [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] Muslims, [[Christianity in Iran|Christians]],<ref name="assistnews1">{{cite web |url=http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2010/s10020115.htm |title=Arrest of the Assyrian leader of the Kermanshah Church in iran |publisher=Assistnews.net |access-date=2011-12-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929225150/http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2010/s10020115.htm |archive-date=2011-09-29 }}</ref> and followers of [[Yarsanism]].<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2013/06/11/Kermanshah-Shia%20Kurds.pdf RRT RESEARCH RESPONSE], Refugee Review Tribunal, www.justice.gov</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artkermanshah.ir/default.aspx?page=3688|title=آشنایی با فرهنگ و نژاد استان کرمانشاه|publisher=www.artkermanshah.ir|access-date=2019-05-29|archive-date=2018-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901161010/http://artkermanshah.ir/Default.aspx?page=3688|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Climate== [[File:Kermanshah-London illustrated news 1.jpg|thumb|left|220px|A view of Kermanshah in mid.-19th century- toward south, Farokhshad Mt. and Wasi Mt. are visible at background]]Kermanshah has a moderate and mountainous climate.<ref>[http://www.iranchamber.com/cities/kermanshah/kermanshah.php Iran Chamber society]: accessed: September 2010.</ref><ref name="zaban">[http://www.salamkermanshah.ir/test/kermanshah-mad-info.htm روزنامه سلام کرمانشاه] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621084030/http://www.salamkermanshah.ir/test/kermanshah-mad-info.htm |date=2010-06-21 }} '''Persian''' ('''Kurdish''')</ref><ref name="b">[http://www.artkermanshah.ir/Default.aspx?page=3688 آشنایی با فرهنگ و نژاد استان کرمانشاه] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901161010/http://artkermanshah.ir/Default.aspx?page=3688 |date=2018-09-01 }}('''Persian''')</ref><ref name="a">[http://www.kermanshahmiras.ir/fa_site/Preview.asp?categoryid=5&code=6686 سازمان میراث فرهنگی، صنایع دستی و گردشگری استان کرمانشاه] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929020334/http://www.kermanshahmiras.ir/fa_site/Preview.asp?categoryid=5&code=6686 |date=29 September 2018 }} بازدید 2010/03/11</ref> Its climate is heavily influenced by the proximity of the [[Zagros]] mountains, classified as a hot-summer [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Csa''; [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]]: ''Dohk'') bordering on a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dsa''). The city's altitude and exposed location relative to westerly winds makes precipitation a little bit high (more than twice that of [[Tehran]]), but at the same time produces huge [[Diurnal air temperature variation|diurnal temperature]] swings especially in the virtually rainless summers, which remain extremely hot during the day. Kermanshah experiences rather cold winters and there are usually rainfalls in fall and spring. Snow cover is seen for at least a couple of weeks in winter.

Highest recorded temperature: {{Convert|44.1|C|F|abbr=on}} on 13 July 1998<br>Lowest recorded temperature: {{Convert|-27.0|C|F|abbr=on}} on 6 February 1974<ref name=records/>

{{Weather box|width=auto |location = Kermanshah (1991–2020, extremes 1951–2020) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |Jan record high C = 20.2 |Feb record high C = 21.8 |Mar record high C = 28.4 |Apr record high C = 33.7 |May record high C = 38.5 |Jun record high C = 43.0 |Jul record high C = 44.1 |Aug record high C = 44.0 |Sep record high C = 40.4 |Oct record high C = 34.4 |Nov record high C = 28.4 |Dec record high C = 25.4 |Jan high C = 8.8 |Feb high C = 11.3 |Mar high C = 16.0 |Apr high C = 21.3 |May high C = 27.5 |Jun high C = 34.9 |Jul high C = 38.8 |Aug high C = 38.6 |Sep high C = 33.6 |Oct high C = 26.2 |Nov high C = 16.9 |Dec high C = 11.5 |Jan mean C = 2.6 |Feb mean C = 4.7 |Mar mean C = 9.0 |Apr mean C = 13.8 |May mean C = 19.1 |Jun mean C = 25.7 |Jul mean C = 29.4 |Aug mean C = 28.9 |Sep mean C = 23.7 |Oct mean C = 17.3 |Nov mean C = 9.5 |Dec mean C = 4.9 |Jan low C = -2.9 |Feb low C = -1.5 |Mar low C = 2.0 |Apr low C = 6.1 |May low C = 9.6 |Jun low C = 13.9 |Jul low C = 17.9 |Aug low C = 17.4 |Sep low C = 12.4 |Oct low C = 8.3 |Nov low C = 2.9 |Dec low C = -1.0 |Jan record low C = -24.0 |Feb record low C = -27.0 |Mar record low C = -11.3 |Apr record low C = -6.1 |May record low C = -1.0 |Jun record low C = 2.0 |Jul record low C = 8.0 |Aug record low C = 8.0 |Sep record low C = 1.2 |Oct record low C = -3.5 |Nov record low C = -17.0 |Dec record low C = -17.0 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 57.1 |Feb precipitation mm = 56.0 |Mar precipitation mm = 68.4 |Apr precipitation mm = 59.0 |May precipitation mm = 25.5 |Jun precipitation mm = 1.0 |Jul precipitation mm = 0.9 |Aug precipitation mm = 0.3 |Sep precipitation mm = 2.6 |Oct precipitation mm = 32.9 |Nov precipitation mm = 61.1 |Dec precipitation mm = 51.6  |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 7.7 |Feb precipitation days = 7.2 |Mar precipitation days = 7.6 |Apr precipitation days = 7.4 |May precipitation days = 4 |Jun precipitation days = 0.3 |Jul precipitation days = 0.2 |Aug precipitation days = 0.1 |Sep precipitation days = 0.3 |Oct precipitation days = 3 |Nov precipitation days = 5.7 |Dec precipitation days = 6.6 | Jan rain days =7.9 | Feb rain days =8.8 | Mar rain days =9.5 | Apr rain days =9.9 | May rain days =5.3 | Jun rain days =0.5 | Jul rain days =0.3 | Aug rain days =0.2 | Sep rain days =0.6 | Oct rain days =5.2 | Nov rain days =9.1 | Dec rain days =9 |Jan snow days = 5.4 |Feb snow days = 4.0 |Mar snow days = 1.8 |Apr snow days = 0.2 |May snow days = 0.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.0 |Nov snow days = 0.3 |Dec snow days = 2.6 |Jan humidity = 68 |Feb humidity = 61 |Mar humidity = 54 |Apr humidity = 52 |May humidity = 43 |Jun humidity = 23 |Jul humidity = 19 |Aug humidity = 18 |Sep humidity = 21 |Oct humidity = 35 |Nov humidity = 56 |Dec humidity = 66 | Jan dew point C =-3.7 | Feb dew point C =-3.3 | Mar dew point C =-1.5 | Apr dew point C =2.5 | May dew point C =3.8 | Jun dew point C =0.8 | Jul dew point C =1.4 | Aug dew point C =0.5 | Sep dew point C =-2.0 | Oct dew point C =-0.8 | Nov dew point C =-0.3 | Dec dew point C =-2.0 |Jan sun = 154 |Feb sun = 160 |Mar sun = 198 |Apr sun = 216 |May sun = 272 |Jun sun = 339 |Jul sun = 341 |Aug sun = 338 |Sep sun = 303 |Oct sun = 245 |Nov sun = 186 |Dec sun = 158 |source 2 = Iran Meteorological Organization (snow/sleet days 1951-2010,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/keh/KERMANSH/32.asp |title= No. of days with snow or sleet in Kermanshah by Month 1951–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414131810/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/keh/KERMANSH/32.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> records)<ref name=records> *{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/keh/KERMANSH/7.asp |title= Highest record temperature in Kermanshah by Month 1951–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414135119/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/keh/KERMANSH/7.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }} *{{cite web |url= http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/keh/KERMANSH/6.asp |title= Lowest record temperature in Kermanshah by Month 1951–2010 |publisher= Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date= April 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150414140635/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/keh/KERMANSH/6.asp |archive-date= April 14, 2015 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref> | source 1 = [[NCEI]]<ref name="ncei">{{cite web |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Kermanshah |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Iran/CSV/Kermanshah_40766.csv |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA]] |access-date=25 March 2024 |format=CSV}}</ref> }}

==Main sights== Kermanshah sights include [[Kohneh Bridge]], [[Behistun Inscription]], [[Taq-e Bostan]], [[Temple of Anahita, Kangavar|Temple of Anahita]], [[Dinavar]], [[Ganj Dareh]], [[Essaqwand Rock Tombs]], [[Sorkh Deh chamber tomb]], [[Malek Tomb]], [[Hulwan]], [[Median]] dakhmeh (Darbad, Sahneh), [[Parav cave]], [[Do-Ashkaft Cave]], [[Takyeh Moaven-ol-Molk]], [[Dukkan-e Daud|Dokan Davood]] Inscription, [[Sarpol-e Zahab]], [[Taq-e Gara]], [[Sarab-e Nilufar]], [[Quri Qala Cave]], [[Statue of Hercules in Behistun]], [[Emad o dolah Mosque]], [[Jameh Mosque of Kermanshah]], [[Godin Tepe]], [[Behistun Inscription#Other historical monuments in the Behistun complex]], and [[Anubanini rock relief]].

===Taq-e Bostan=== [[File:Taq-e Bostan - High-relief of Anahita, Khosro II, Ahura Mazda.jpg|right|thumb|300px| [[Anahita]] on the left as the patron ''[[yazata]]'' of the [[Sasanian dynasty]] behind Emperor [[Khosrow II]] with [[Ahura Mazda]] presenting the [[diadem]] of sovereignty on the right. [[Taq-e Bostan]].]] {{main|Taq-e Bostan}}

[[Taq-e Bostan]] is a series of large [[rock relief]]s dating to the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanian era]] (224–651 AD). This example of [[Sasanian art]] is located {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=on}} from the city center of Kermanshah in western [[Iran]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=طاق بستان کجاست؟ {{!}} وبلاگ اسنپ تریپ|url=https://www.snapptrip.com/blog/طاق-بستان-کجاست/|access-date=2021-05-17}}</ref> It is located in the heart of the [[Zagros Mountains|Zagros mountains]], where it has endured almost 1,700 years of wind and rain.

The carvings, examples of Persian sculpture under the Sasanians, include representations of the investitures of [[Ardashir II]] (379–383) and [[Shapur III]] (383–388).{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} Like other Sasanian symbols, Taq-e Bostan and its relief patterns accentuate power, religious tendencies, glory, honor, the vastness of the court, game and fighting spirit, festivity, joy, and rejoicing.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Sasanian kings chose a beautiful setting for their rock reliefs along an historic [[Silk Road]] caravan route [[waypoint]] and campground. The reliefs are adjacent a sacred spring that empties into a reflecting pool at the base of a mountain cliff.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Taq-e Bostan and its rock relief are one of the 30 surviving Sasanian relics of the [[Zagros Mountains]]. According to [[Arthur Pope]], the founder of Iranian art and archeology Institute in the US, "art was characteristic of the Iranian people and the gift which they endowed the world with."{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

One of the most impressive reliefs inside the largest grotto or ''ivan'' is the [[equestrian sculpture|equestrian]] figure of the Sasanian king [[Khosrow II]] (591–628 AD) mounted on his charger, [[Shabdiz]]. Both horse and rider are arrayed in full battle armor.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} The arch rests on two columns that bear delicately carved patterns showing the tree of life or the sacred tree. Above the arch and located on two opposite sides are figures of two winged angels with [[Diadem (personal wear)|diadems]]. A noticeable border with flower patterns has been intricately carved around the outer layer of the arch. These same patterns can be seen on the official costumes of Sasanian kings. Equestrian relief panel measured on 16.08.07 approx. 7.45 m across by 4.25 m high.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===Behistun=== {{main|Behistun Inscription}}

The Behistun inscription is considered as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. The [[Behistun Inscription]] (also ''Bisitun'' or ''Bisutun'', [[Modern Persian]]: بیستون; [[Old Persian]]: ''Bagastana'', meaning "the god's place or land") is a multi-lingual inscription located on [[Mount Behistun]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The inscription includes three versions of the same text, written in three different [[cuneiform script]] languages: [[Old Persian language|Old Persian]], [[Elamite language|Elamite]], and [[Babylonian language|Babylonian]]. A British army officer, [[Sir Henry Rawlinson, 1st Baronet|Henry Rawlinson]], had the inscription transcribed in two parts, in 1835 and 1843.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} Rawlinson was able to translate the Old Persian cuneiform text in 1838, and the Elamite and Babylonian texts were translated by Rawlinson and others after 1843. Babylonian was a later form of [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]]: both are [[Semitic languages]]. In effect, then, the inscription is to [[Cuneiform script|cuneiform]] what the [[Rosetta Stone]] is to [[Egyptian hieroglyph]]s: the document most crucial in the [[decipherment]] of a previously lost [[writing system|script]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The inscription is approximately 15 metres high by 25 meters wide, and 100 meters up a [[limestone]] cliff from an ancient road connecting the capitals of [[Babylonia]] and [[Medes|Media]] ([[Babylon]] and [[Ecbatana]]).{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} It is extremely inaccessible as the mountainside was removed to make the inscription more visible after its completion. The Old Persian text contains 414 lines in five columns; the Elamite text includes 593 lines in eight columns and the Babylonian text is in 112 lines.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} The inscription was illustrated by a life-sized bas-relief of [[Darius the Great of Persia|Darius]], holding a [[bow (weapon)|bow]] as a sign of kingship, with his left foot on the chest of a figure lying on his back before him. The prostrate figure is reputed to be the [[pretender]] [[Gaumata]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} Darius is attended to the left by two servants, and ten one-metre figures stand to the right, with hands tied and rope around their necks, representing conquered peoples. [[Faravahar]] floats above, giving his blessing to the king. One figure appears to have been added after the others were completed, as was (oddly enough) Darius' beard,{{Citation needed|date=November 2007}} which is a separate block of stone attached with iron pins and [[lead]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===Qajar era monuments=== {{see also|Tekyeh Biglarbeygi|Tekyeh Moaven al-molk|Khajeh Barookh's House}} [[File:Jame-shafeie-mosque.JPG|thumb|Jame-Shafeie Mosque<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jame-Shafeie Mosque|date=13 October 2017 |url=https://www.kojaro.com/attraction/6326-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AC%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B9%DB%8C/}}</ref>]] During the [[Qajar Iran|Qajar era]] (1789–1925), [[Kermanshah Bazaar]], mosques and [[tekyeh]]s such as [[Takyeh Beyglarbeygi]] and [[Takyeh Moaven-ol-Molk]], and houses such as [[Khajeh Barookh's House]] were built. Takyeh Beyglarbeygi was built during the Qajar era by the efforts of Abdollah khan Beyglarbeygi and is known for its [[ayeneh-kari]]. Tekyeh Moaven-ol-Molk has pictures on the walls that relate to [[shahnameh]], despite some of its more religious ones.

Khajeh Barookh's House is located in the old district of Faizabad, a [[Jewish]] neighborhood of the city. It was built by a Jewish merchant of the Qajar era, named Barookh/Baruch. The house, a historical depiction of Iranian architecture, was renamed "Randeh-Kesh House", after the last owner, is a "daroongara" (inward oriented) house and is connected through a vestibule to the exterior yard and through a corridor to the interior yard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kermanshahmiras.ir/fa_site/preview.asp?categoryid=11&code=5451|title=سازمان ميراث فرهنگي، گردشگري و صنايع دستي استان كرمانشاه|publisher=Kermanshahmiras.ir|access-date=2011-12-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223503/http://www.kermanshahmiras.ir/fa_site/Preview.asp?categoryid=11&code=5451|archive-date=2007-09-27}}</ref> Surrounding the interior yard are rooms, brick pillars making the [[iwan]]s (porches) of the house, and step-like column capitals decorated with brick-stalactite work. This house is among the rare Qajar houses with a private bathroom. [[File:Khaneh-Barookh1.jpg|thumb|Khajeh Barookh's House]]

[[File:Kermanshah Paleolithic Museum.jpg|right|thumb|Interior of the second room of Zagros Paleolithic Museum.]]

=== Bazaars === Kermanshah is home to at least one [[bazaar]] dating back to the Qajar era. '''Kermanshah Grand Bazaar''' or '''''Tarike Bazaar''''' was built around 1820 when [[Mohammad-Ali Mirza Dowlatshah|Prince Mohammad Ali Mirza Dowlatshah]] of the [[Qajar dynasty]] governed Kermanshah and was the largest covered bazaar of the [[Middle East]] at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Salehnezhad|first=Narges|date=2016-06-25|title=تاریکه بازار؛ معرف تاریخ شهر کرمانشاه|url=https://www.kojaro.com/2016/6/25/120030/kermanshhah-bazar/|website=Kojaro|access-date=17 May 2021|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517174029/https://www.kojaro.com/2016/6/25/120030/kermanshhah-bazar/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Churches === * [[Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Kermanshah|Sacred Heart of Jesus Church]] ===Higher education=== More than 49 thousands students are educating in 9 governmental and private universities in the city. Established in 1968 as the ''Kermanshah Graduate School of Nursing'', the [[Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences]] was the first university in the west part of Iran. The medical school as a division of ''Razi University'' was established in 1976 and admitted some students in general practice. [[Razi University]] established in 1972 was the second university in the west part of Iran and is the most-prominent higher education institute in Kermanshah province and also west part of the country.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kums.ac.ir/aboutus-fa.html |title= About the university |website= Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130129094807/http://www.kums.ac.ir/aboutus-fa.html |archive-date= 2013-01-29 |language= fa}}</ref> In 2020, Razi University ranked 24th in Iran and 1300th in the world by the [[U.S. News & World Report|U.S. News]] in universities of all countries of the world based upon 13 factors.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/razi-university-529417 |title= Razi University |year= 2020|website= US News|language= en}}</ref>

Some of Kermanshah universities are: *[[Islamic Azad University of Kermanshah]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.iauksh.ac.ir/ |title=iauksh.ac.ir |access-date=2006-10-27 |archive-date=2014-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007074225/http://www.iauksh.ac.ir/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> *[[Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences]] *[[Kermanshah University of Technology]]<ref>[http://www.kut.ac.ir/ kut.ac.ir]</ref> *[[Payame Noor University]] *[[Razi University]]

===Schools=== Mohtashamiyeh (Persian: محتشمیه), established in 1899, was the first modern school in Kermanshah founded by Husseinali-Khan Mohandes-e Guran. Khalq Study Hall (Persian: قرائتخانۀ خلق) was the first study hall in Kermanshah and also an adult school founded in 1909.<ref name="daka">{{cite web |url= http://portal.nlai.ir/daka/Wiki%20Pages/كرمانشاه،%20كتابخانه‌هاي.aspx|title= Libraries of Kermanshah|author= Mohammad-Ja'far Panahi |website= Encyclopedia of Library and information science |language= fa|access-date= 1 September 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110119101646/http://portal.nlai.ir/daka/Wiki%20Pages/%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%8C%20%D9%83%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%8A.aspx|archive-date= 19 January 2011 }}</ref> [[Alliance School, Kermanshah|Alliance Israélite school of Kermanshah]] founded by the [[Alliance Israélite Universelle]] in 1904.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://iranicaonline.org/articles/kermanshah-08-jews |title= Kermanshah, The Jewish Community |author= Nahid Pirnazar|date= June 15, 2017|website= Encyclopædia Iranica|language= en}}</ref> The Azodiyeh State School for Misses (Persian: مدرسه دولتی دوشیزگان عضدیه) was the first girls' school, founded in 1922. The first private school in Kermanshah was founded in 1991.

==Notable people== ===Arts=== *[[Ali Mohammad Afghani]], novelist *[[Seyed Khalil Alinezhad]], [[Tanbour]] master *[[Mahshid Amirshahi]], writer *[[Nozar Azadi]], actor *[[Ali Ashraf Darvishian]], novelist and writer *[[Pouran Derakhshandeh]], film director, producer, screenwriter *[[Reza Shafiei Jam]], actor *[[Mirza Mohammad Reza Kalhor]], calligrapher *[[Mir Jalaleddin Kazzazi]], writer *[[Rahim Moeini Kermanshahi]], poet, lyricist *[[Alexis Kouros]], writer, documentary-maker, director, and producer *[[Abolghasem Lahouti]], poet *[[Doris Lessing]], writer, 2007 winner of the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] (born in Kermanshah to British parents) *[[Aref Lorestani]], actor, comedian *[[Shahram Mokri]], film director *[[Nicky Nodjoumi]], modern painter *[[Reza Fieze Norouzi]], actor *[[Guity Novin]], painter & graphic designer *[[Mohammad Salemy]], artist, curator, writer *[[Gholamreza Rashid-Yasemi]], one of the [[Five-Masters]] of [[Persian Literature]]

===Music=== *[[Evin Agassi]], singer *[[Kayhan Kalhor]], musician *[[Mojtaba Mirzadeh]], master of violin and setar *[[Roknoddin Mokhtari]], violin player *[[Ali Akbar Moradi]], musician and tanbour player *[[Shahram Nazeri]], vocalist and musician *[[Sohrab Pournazeri]], musician *[[Susan (Iranian singer)|Susan]] (Golandam Taherkhani), singer *[[Marganita Vogt-Khofri]], pianist, classical musician, and vocalist *[[Bahramji]], musician and santur player

===Politics and military=== *[[Ebrahim Azizi]], member and spokesman of the Guardian Council *[[Abdol Ali Badrei]], commander of the [[Imperial Iranian Army]] and the [[Imperial Guard (Iran)|Imperial Guard]] *[[Amir Hossein Rabii]], commander of the Imperial Iranian Air Force *[[Joanna Palani]], Kurdish sabotage and sniper. *[[Hanif Bali]], member of [[Swedish Riksdag]] *[[Karim Sanjabi]], Iran's attorney during oil nationalization movement, former foreign minister *[[Bijan Namdar Zangeneh]], minister of Petroleum *[[Yar Mohammadkhan Kermanshahi]] A pivotal figure in the Iranian Constitutional Revolution<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-17 |title=Lost in history; Yar Mohammad khan, an unknown but brass hat of Persian Constitutional Revolution. |url=https://manshooretoseehonline.ir/lost-in-history-yar-mohammad-khan-an-unknown-but-brass-hat-of-persian-constitutional-revolution/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |website=پایگاه خبری تحلیلی منشور توسعه آنلاینmanshooretoseehonline |language=fa-IR}}</ref>

===Sciences=== *[[Shahram Amiri]], nuclear scientist *[[Massoud Azarnoush]], archaeologist *[[Al-Dinawari]], botanist, historian, geographer, astronomer and mathematician *[[Fereidoun Biglari]], archaeologist

===Sports=== *[[Makwan Amirkhani]], mixed martial artist, [[UFC]] fighter *[[Kourosh Bagheri]], world weightlifting champion *[[Homa Hosseini]], [[rower]] *[[Ali Mazaheri]], [[2006 Asian Games]] gold medalist, Asian champion & Olympic boxer *[[Mohammad Hassan Mohebbi]], light heavyweight [[freestyle wrestler]] & Iran's national team coach *[[Mohammad Hossein Mohebbi]], freestyle wrestler *[[Yadollah Mohebbi]], 125 kg freestyle wrestler and nephew of [[Mohammad Hossein Mohebbi]] and [[Mohammad Hassan Mohebbi]] *[[Mohammad Ranjbar]], former [[Iran national football team]] player and head coach *[[Kianoush Rostami]], world weight lifting champion *[[Neda Shahsavari]], table tennis champion *[[Mohammad Torkashvand]], volleyball champion *[[Mehran Shahintab]], basketball champion & head coach of the Iranian national team [[Iran Basketball Federation]] *[[Peter Warr]], businessman, racing driver and a manager for several Formula One teams *[[Saeid Ahmadi]], world champion gold and silver medalist in karate

==Gallery== {{gallery |File:KermanshahNature1.jpg| |File:Museum-Rietberg-Zürich-2022.00428.100.jpg| {{center|Historical panorama of Kermanshah in the late 19th century, by [[Antoin Sevruguin]]}} |File:-View of Kermanshah, Capital of Kurdistan- MET DP202996.jpg| {{center|Kermanshah photographed by [[Luigi Pesce]] between 1840 and 1860}} |File:Kermanshah-anahita temple.jpg| {{center| [[Anahita Temple]] in [[Kangavar]]}} |File:Mount Dalekhani1.jpg| {{center|Mount Dalekhani}} |File:GhooriGhaleh.jpg|{{center|Ghouri Ghaleh Cave}} |File:BehistunInscriptiondetail.jpg| {{center|Close-Up of [[Bisotun]] Inscription}} |File:Harp-Sassanid.png|[[Taq-e Bostan|Taghbostan]] Carving{{efn|Women playing [[harp]] while the king is standing in a boat holding his bow and arrows, from 6th century Sassanid Iran}} ||{{center|Mosaddegh Square}} }}

==See also== * [[Kalhor (tribe)|Kalhor]]

== Notes == {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Sources== * {{cite encyclopedia | article = KERMANSHAH i. Geography | last = Borijan | first = Habib | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kermanshah-01-geography | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | year = 2015 }} * {{cite encyclopedia | article = KERMANSHAH vii. Languages and Dialects | last = Borijan | first = Habib | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kermanshah-07-languages | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | year = 2016 }} * {{cite encyclopedia | article = KERMANSHAH iv. History from the Arab Conquest to 1953 | last = Calmard | first = Jean | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kermanshah-04-history-to-1953 | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | year = 2015 }} * {{cite encyclopedia | article = KERMANSHAH viii. The Jewish Community | last = Pirnazar | first = Nahid | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/kermanshah-08-jews | encyclopedia = Encyclopaedia Iranica | year = 2014 }}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090225185424/http://www.irantooth.com/iranpics/dariush_inscriptions.htm Pictures of Inscription and Bas relief of Darius the Great ] - Free Pictures of IRAN [https://web.archive.org/web/20081217022508/http://www.irantooth.com/ irantooth.com] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110728071747/http://aryo.ir/pages/kermanshah/bisotun.htm Photos from Bisotun Complex] - From Online Photo Gallery Of [https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223827/http://www.aryo.ir/ Aryo.ir] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927075443/http://aryo.ir/pages/kermanshah/taq.htm Photos from Taqwasan] - From Online Photo Gallery Of [https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223827/http://www.aryo.ir/ Aryo.ir] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927075436/http://aryo.ir/pages/kermanshah/tekye.htm Photos from Moavenol Molk Tekieh] - From Online Photo Gallery Of [https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223827/http://www.aryo.ir/ Aryo.ir]

[[Category:Kermanshah| ]] [[Category:Populated places in Kermanshah County]] [[Category:Cities in Kermanshah province]] [[Category:Iranian provincial capitals]] [[Category:Populated places along the Silk Road]] [[Category:Kurdish settlements in Kermanshah province]] [[Category:Sasanian cities]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1762]]