Relief of Bahram II at Guyim

🕰️When was it built?

The relief dates from the time of the Sasanian king Bahram II. Herzfeld learned of it in 1926, and Louis Vanden Berghe studied it more closely in 1975. It was added to Iran's National Heritage List on 1 December 1975 as number 937.

🏛️What was it built for?

The picture shows the king in a pose of prayer and respect. The crown on Bahram's head matches those on his reliefs and coins and is one of the details that identify the figure. The different positions of the two hands are the key to the meaning of this scene.

👀What you will see

• The rectangular relief panel, about 2 metres high and 1.8 metres wide, framing the figure of the king.
• Bahram II's crown, whose shape matches the king's crown on his coins and other reliefs.
• The king's two hands in different positions; one rests on his waist and the other is raised in prayer.
• The relief's place about 8 metres up the rock of the Qavamabad gorge, which sets it above the level of the path.

💡Something interesting

Over time, parts of the detail of this relief have worn away and faded through natural and human causes. To understand the scene, the overall pose of the figure and the position of the hands are a clearer guide than the faded fine work.

🎒Good to know before you go

• The relief is high above the ground; when looking from below, pay attention to the rectangular frame and the overall position of the hands.