Khosrow Palace

Khosrow Palace, also known as the Khosrow Mansion and Qasr-e Shirin, is a historic Sassanian-era building in the north of the city of Qasr-e Shirin, in Kermanshah Province. The complex is attributed to the Sassanian king Khosrow Parviz, and according to a well-known tradition it was built for his wife, Shirin; however, there are differing views about the exact purpose of its construction and how it was used. Khosrow Palace was registered on the Iran National Heritage List on 24 Shahrivar 1310 under registration number 32, and is regarded as one of the most important Sassanian architectural monuments in western Iran.

In the past, the palace was an extensive complex with a rectangular plan and an east-west axis, built on a raised platform and surrounded by a large garden. According to historical accounts, water from the Alvand River was used to irrigate the garden and supply the complex. Large halls, an iwan, long corridors, numerous rooms and domed spaces were among its architectural features; brick, stone and gypsum plaster were also used in parts of the building. Some accounts mention a columned hall and a room with a domed roof in the complex. Today, much of the palace has disappeared, and the remains of walls and parts of the structure can still be seen. Despite archaeological excavations, parts of the site remain buried underground, which underlines the importance of further research into the structure of this complex.

To visit Khosrow Palace, you can start from the city of Qasr-e Shirin and take the routes leading to the northern part of the city and the ring road. Given the state of access and the possibility of conservation or restoration work, it is best to check whether the site is open before you go. Because of the region's hot, dry climate, spring and autumn are usually better times to visit; summers in Qasr-e Shirin can be extremely hot. While at the site, avoid approaching unstable walls, standing beneath the surviving arches, and touching or tampering with the historical remains. Please also avoid leaving litter or damaging the ground and the surrounding vegetation, so that the remains of this valuable monument are preserved for future visitors as well.