Plizio Visual Lab

Behistun Inscription

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

monument

Weather…

The Behistun Inscription, located in the Kermanshah province, is one of the most significant historical monuments in the world, often compared to the Rosetta Stone for its role in deciphering ancient languages. Carved into a limestone cliff about 100 meters above the ground around 521 BC, it was commissioned by Darius the Great to commemorate his victories and legitimize his reign. The inscription is written in three cuneiform scripts: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian, providing a multilingual account of the empire's early history. A monumental relief above the text depicts King Darius receiving surrendered rebels under the watchful eye of the supreme deity Ahura Mazda. The 19th-century decipherment of this inscription by Henry Rawlinson was the key to unlocking the cuneiform script, allowing scholars to read ancient Mesopotamian and Persian records. Since 2006, Behistun has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its exceptional cultural and linguistic value.

Location: Iran
Top sights: Hercules statue · Farhad Tarash · Bisotun Caravanserai

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	0	2	6	11	17	24	28	27	22	16	7	2
Rain mm	43	42	52	53	21	2	1	0	2	28	48	40

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

The Behistun Inscription is a monumental rock relief that can be viewed from a viewing platform; direct access to the rock face is not allowed. The site is an archaeological park with paths and information boards, open year-round.

🕒

Typical hours

The archaeological park is typically open daily from sunrise to sunset; exact hours may vary seasonally. Visiting early morning is recommended for the best light for photos and milder temperatures.

📷

Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the site, but flash use is prohibited near the relief to protect preservation. A zoom lens helps capture details of the inscription from a distance.

⏱️

Time needed

A visit to the Behistun Inscription typically takes one to two hours, including walking the site and reading information boards. For history enthusiasts, a longer stay is worthwhile to explore the surrounding ruins.

➕

Combine with

Combine the visit with the nearby town of Bisotun, which has a bazaar and an archaeological museum. The Sassanid complex of Taq-e Bostan, with similar rock reliefs, is about 30 kilometers away and can be easily combined.

🧭

Getting there

The Behistun Inscription is about 30 kilometers east of Kermanshah, along the main road to Hamadan. The best way to reach it is by taxi or rental car; buses from Kermanshah stop at the turnoff.

💡

Insider tip

Bring binoculars to better see the fine details of the inscription, visible from the platform high on the rock. Avoid visits during hot midday hours in summer; early morning or late afternoon are more comfortable.

Geography

Coordinates

34.38860, 47.43640

Facts

The inscription measures approximately 15 meters high by 25 meters wide.
It was strategically placed on a major trade route connecting Mesopotamia with Iran.
The steps leading up to the inscription were destroyed after completion to prevent tampering.
Deciphering the Old Persian section allowed for the eventual translation of Babylonian texts.
The relief includes figures of nine captured 'liar kings' who challenged Darius.
UNESCO inscribed the Behistun archaeological site on its World Heritage list in 2006.