Biston complex located in the city of Biston, Kermanshah, has a large number of historical monuments such as the statue of Hercules, Biston Bridge, Shah Abbasi Caravanserai, Mehrdad II, Farhad Tarash, etc. and is therefore one of the important archaeological sites in Iran. One of the works in this collection is the inscription and carved relief of Darius, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, the existence of numerous caves on Mount Biston indicate the presence of humans in this area during the Paleolithic period.
Due to the existence of historical monuments that date back to about four thousand years ago and continue until several hundred years ago, Biston is considered a treasure trove of Iranian historical monuments, 28 of which have been registered as national monuments of Iran. Join us to get more acquainted with this collection.
Biston Kermanshah
The historical and cultural site of Biston, that is one of the sights of Kermanshah, was included in the list of national monuments of Iran in 2002, and the inscription and inscription of Dariush Achaemenid was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2006. However, the value and importance of Biston can be traced back to the Paleolithic period; In particular, the caves and rock shelters of Biston confirm that this area has been one of the most important settlements in the Zagros.
The 1,650-hectare Biston complex is historically, naturally and ecologically diverse and valuable; But what has made Biston world famous is the inscription of Darius the Great dating to 520 BC.
So far, this collection has included 28 registered works in national and international works, including the Hunters Cave, Mar Dodar Cave, Sarab Biston, Mor Tarik Cave, Madi Shrine, Sang-e-Balash, Mehrdad Ashkani, Goodarz, Farhad Tarash, Ilkhani Caravanserai, Paul Biston, etc. were mentioned. These irreplaceable and valuable works are considered as important documents of Iranian history.
It is interesting to know that on the slopes of Mount Biston, pieces of cut limestone are scattered in a scattered manner, that are in the form of rectangular cubes and square cubes. Similar to these pieces of stone can be seen in the semi-functional structures of the Sassanid era such as Farhad Tarash and Khosrow Bridge. In addition to the cutting technique of these blocks, the symbols of the sculptors are also in the Sassanid style.
Biston is one of the sights of Kermanshah province, 30 km northeast of Kermanshah and next to the ancient road from Kermanshah to Hamedan. This historic site on the slopes of Mount Biston in Biston shines like a jewel.
Biston complex is one of the most important historical sites in the country, that has been considered by kings and rulers for various reasons. Among those reasons, we can mention its favorable climate and good geographical location; Biston was located near Mesopotamia. Interestingly, the Biston plain was located near important transportation routes such as the Median-Babylonian road and the Silk Road, which shows the reason for the attention of the kings of different dynasties. As Mount Biston was a passageway for caravans and troops, it was a strategic area for the Iranian kings to shine.
This historical and archeological site includes works of various periods from prehistoric to post-Islamic. Hunters’ Cave and Markharl Cave from prehistoric period, material shrine from Median period, Biston inscription and relief from Achaemenid period, Hercules statue from Seleucid period, Sang-e-Blash, Goodarz lithograph and role of Mehrdad Ashkani from Parthian period, Biston Palace, Farahad And the Sassanid bridge (Khosrow) from the Sassanid period, the Ilkhani caravanserai from the Ilkhanid period, the Shah Abbasi caravanserai, the inscription of Sheikh Ali Khan Zanganeh and the Biston bridge (Safavid bridge) from the Safavid period.
Hassan Pirnia has written about Biston in the book History of Ancient Iran:
Biston is a mountain that reaches a height of four thousand feet and at the foot of it, springs come out of the mountain. For a long time we do not know when it was, the caravans stopped here.
Ibn Hawql, a Muslim geographer of the fourth century AH, had said:
Behston Mountain is a high mountain that its peak cannot be reached and the way of pilgrims from Neishabour to Halvan passes under it.
Yaqut Hamwi, a seventeenth-century geographer, is one of the few Muslim geographers to mention the ancient monuments of Mount Biston in his book. He writes:
Behston is a diyah between Hamedan and Halvan, called Sassanids. It is four steps away from Hamedan and eight miles away from Kermanshah. Beheston mountain is high and you cannot go to its peak. The pilgrims’ path passes just below it and its wall, from top to bottom, is smooth, as if shaved.
Naming Biston
Biston comes from the word “Baghistan”, that means the place of the gods, and it is probable that its ancient name was Bagastana. Biston changed over time to “Bahistan” and later “Bahistan”; Until after Islam, “Behston” was called a pillar of good or a better pillar. It is still called Biston today; however, reading it as “Biston” in the sense of without columns is wrong and has no validity
Biston Mountain is a high limestone mountain in Harsin city, 30 km from Kermanshah. In addition to the inscription of Darius the Great, 28 historical monuments of this mountain have been registered in the list of national monuments.
Biston Mountain was inhabited by predatory humans during the Paleolithic period, which used the caves of the southern slopes for their seasonal settlement. Hunters Cave was the first Biston Cave to be excavated by American anthropologists for two weeks in 1328, and this led to the discovery of thousands of stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic period. During the excavation, the bones of animals such as horses, that are about 70,000 to 40,000 years old, were also found. A part of a human forearm was also discovered, which may be related to Neanderthal man or early Neolithic man. In addition, Neanderthal human habitation has been found in other caves on Mount Biston, such as Markharl Cave, Dark Mor Cave, and Sun Cave.
Mount Biston, along with its historical aspects, has had a great impact on our literature and is mentioned among Iranians as a sacred mountain. One of these effects can be seen in the poem Khosrow and Shirin by Nezami Ganjavi, in which Farhad’s abundant love for Shirin is told. The story goes that Khosrow Parviz, one of the famous Sassanid kings who were also fascinated by Shirin, told Farhad that if he could completely climb Mount Biston, he would allow him to marry Shirin. Khosrow Parviz, who did not think that Farhad would succeed in this field, was worried when he saw his years of trying to climb the mountain and the progress of his work, and at the suggestion of the wise men about him, informed Farhad that Shirin was dead. Upon hearing this false news, Farhad drops his ax to the ground and dies.
It may be interesting to know that the 5,000-meter-wide Biston Wall is one of the most technical climbing walls in the world and the fifth tallest wall in the world; In addition, it is known as Everest, the rocks of the world and the highest wall of Iran.
Bisotun inscription
The inscription of Biston, which is dedicated to the victory of Darius I of the Achaemenids over Gaumatus the Magus, is the most important artistic and historical work of the Achaemenid period and the oldest text in Iranian literature and therefore, is one of the most important historical documents in the world. Near this inscription, there are stepped works that the sculptors apparently used to access the place of the inscription and after finishing the work, it was carved to eliminate the possibility of access to the inscription and the relief. The inscription is carved on limestone stones and shows signs of a brown glaze that has changed color over time. It seems that the sculptors covered the inscription and embossed map with this unknown glaze to increase its durability.
The inscription of Biston is 7.8 meters wide and 22 meters long, in three languages: Ancient Persian, Elamite and Akkadian (New Babylonian) with cuneiform. The text of this inscription is located in such a way that the text related to each person is close to him.
The ancient Persian text is mentioned in five columns that Ahuramazda is seen with human faces on top of this inscription. There is a shining crown on his head which indicates his greatness and divinity.
The Elamite text is written in eight two-part columns and the Akkadian text in one column. In addition to these three main texts, you can see 11 other small inscriptions on the rock that are related to Darius and his captives.
The beginning of this inscription is dedicated to the introduction of Darius and his family, which is as follows:
I am Darius Shah, son of Vishtasp, an Achaemenid, king of kings, I am now a king in Persia. My father was Vishtasp, the father of Vishtasp is Arsham, the father of Arsham was Aryarmaneh, the father of Aryarmaneh was Chish Pish, the father of Chish Pish was Achaemenid. Hence we call ourselves Achaemenids. We have been a race for a long time; our family has been a king for a long time. Eight members of our family were kings before us, I am the ninth king. We were from two royal families.
Since the first four columns of ancient Persia deal with the events of Darius’s reign, it has great historical value. The inscription continues with respect to Ahuramazda and his forgiveness. In addition to introducing his 23 dependent lands, Darius records and describes the battle with the rebels who had claimed the kingdom in the first year of his reign. Darius ‘victory in 19 wars, Cambyses’ death, Frortius ‘revolt and execution in Ekbatan, Gaumata’s revolt and repression, Darius’ victory over the Scythians, establishing peace and security in his vast empire, refraining from lying and defending truth, advising future kings, etc. The inscription has come.
Biston’s prominent role
The bust of Biston, 6 meters long and 3.20 meters wide, depicts Darius’ victory over Gaumat the Magian (false Bardia) and the capture of the rebels. The image of Ahuramazda is above the heads of the captives, which gives Darius the Great the ring of power.
Biston’s relief depicts Darius’s victory over Gaumatus the Magi
In addition to the symbol of Ahuramazda, you see Darius the Great placing his left foot on the chest of the magician Gaumatus, who fell to the ground under his feet. One foot and two hands of Gaumata are carved upwards as a sign of supplication. In this relief, Darius wears a long robe and a congressional crown that shines like a jewel on the left side of the inscription. He raised his right hand to worship Ahuramazda.
The symbol of Ahuramazda with a ring in his left hand is directly in front of Darius and he also raises his right hand which is a sign of good prayer for Darius or his approval. Ahuramazda wears a cylindrical hat on which a circle with eight-pointed stars can be seen; Just like the shape on Darius’s crown.
The 9 captives are tied together with their hands tied around their necks and standing in front of Darius. The relief of Darius is 180 cm; The archer and the spear standing behind him are about 150 cm tall, and the captives are depicted with a height of about 120 cm. These captives falsely called themselves kings.
Biston inscription and relief have been severely damaged by geological factors such as erosion, rain and wind, human destruction and ignorance.
Statue of Hercules
The Statue of Hercules is one of the attractions of the historic complex of Biston, which always attracts many tourists. This statue, which dates back to the Seleucid-Parthian period, was discovered in February 1337; While the workers were digging and leveling the road to build a new road from Hamedan to Kermanshah. The time of construction of the statue is estimated to be 153 BC, which coincides with the reign of Mehrdad I Parthian and the end of the Seleucid rule.
At that time, Hercules was one of the most popular deities and therefore many clay and stone statues were made of him, the most famous example of which in Iran is the stone statue of Hercules located along the “East-West” highway of the Silk Road. This strong personal sculpture shows a body with curly hair and beard resting on the skin of a lion. The statue of Hercules stands on a platform about 20 meters long, and while holding a cup in his left hand, he is lying half-lying on his left side, with his right hand on his right foot and his right foot on his left foot.
In addition to an ancient Greek inscription engraved on the stone behind the statue, there are motifs such as an olive tree with a bow and arrow hanging from its branch. A conical mace is carved next to this tree, which is more prominent than other designs.
The lion pattern can be seen under the trunk of Hercules, which is carved from stone and is attached to the mountain from behind, and from its head to its tail is about two meters and its tail is 114 centimeters high.
Biston Palace
The ruined and unfinished palace of Bistoon is located right in front of the Bistoon inscription and belonged to Khosrow Parviz, the Sassanid king. According to archeological excavations that have been carried out periodically since 1976, this palace, which was built only around the walls, remains unfinished for some reason and later becomes an inn. However, the caravanserai was destroyed by an earthquake and a village was built on it during the Qajar period.
Ilkhani Caravanserai
The Ilkhani Caravanserai is another historical monument in the Biston area located downstream of Farhad Tarash, which was built on the remains of a Sassanid half-finished palace.
To build this caravanserai, they used materials such as brick, stone and gypsum mortar and built it on the remains of Sassanid stone walls. In addition to the central courtyard, the caravanserai had 64 rooms and a small mosque. Apparently, this place is destroyed by a terrible earthquake and loses its use. However, remnants of its niches are still present.
During the Timurid period, constructions were done on this building in a scattered manner, from the works of that period, we can mention several ovens in different depths of this building. In the Safavid era, the materials of this building were used to build the Shah Abbasi caravanserai.
Farhad Tarash
Farhad Tarash is a large and semi-functional carving in the west of the inscription of Darius the Great on a wall 36 meters high and 200 meters long, which is also known by other names such as “Fry Tash”, “Fratash” or “Farhad’s Throne”. This historical monument was registered as a national monument of Iran in 2001.
Abraham Jackson, who had visited this place in 1282, considered this place empty of inscriptions and a role suitable for recording the subsequent victories of Darius the Great. Some other archaeologists believe that the purpose of carving this part of the mountain was to show an important historical event by Khosrow Parviz, one of the Sassanid kings.
However, some experts have recently speculated from stone blocks, columnar stems, and semi-finished foundations at the foot of the mountain and surrounding areas that Farhad Tarash was originally a sculptural workshop for the extraction of stones used in the walls of Biston structures. Khosrow Parviz’s half-finished palace is only a few hundred meters away from it, which raises the possibility of this theory being correct.
Farhad Tarash has a special place in Persian literature; So much so that people consider this historical work to be the work of Farhad Koohkan, who wrote it for the sake of sweet love, because of poems such as those written by Nezami Ganjavi.
Stone Blash
There is an irregular quadrangular boulder on the slopes of Mount Biston, which reaches a height of 2.5 meters, and on its three sides there are low-carved designs. This valuable work was included in the list of national works of Iran in 2001.
On the middle side of this stone, there is a full-length figure belonging to “Blash” of Parthian kings, which, in addition to a belt on his waist and necklace, has a wide skirt. He is a face with a beard, mustache and long hair that has been adorned on this hair. In the king’s left hand is a cup, and in his right hand is a long fire, as if something were pouring into it. An inscription is engraved on the body of the stove that says:
This image of Blash Shah Shahan, son of Blash Shah Shahan, grandson …
Since the end of the inscription has disappeared, it is not clear to which blush the embossed inscription belongs.
On the left side of the rock, there is a man dressed as Blash who is apparently walking towards Blash; While raising his right hand and holding something in his other hand. To the right of Blasch’s role is a third person wearing a knee-length dress.
Biston Mirage
The Biston Mirage is a spring whose water is collected in a pond, and this very large pond has been the reason for the settlement of humans since the Paleolithic to the present day. Meanwhile, passing caravans on the way from western Iran to Mesopotamia were passing by the Biston mirage. Interestingly, many historical monuments of this ancient site have been formed around this mirage; So that the beautiful inscriptions and reliefs of Darius, Parthian reliefs, the statue of Hercules, the hunters’ cave, the material temple, the Shah Abbasi caravanserai, etc. can be seen from the place of the mirage.
This historic mirage, which is located at an altitude of 1320 meters above sea level and its water is tasteless, is used to irrigate the fields of this region. Sarab Biston was nationally registered in 2001 and was included in the list of natural heritage of Iran as a natural monument in 2009. The spruce-covered plane trees, spectacular nature and historical monuments around the mirage are among the factors that have made it one of the most beautiful mirages in Iran.
Material shrine
The material shrine is another national monument in the historic site of Biston, which is located under the inscription of Darius the Great. This shrine consists of a plateau 10.5 meters long, 7 meters wide and 1.5 meters high, which is made of uncut stones and dry porcelain and is divided into two parts through a corridor seven meters long and 1.5 meters wide. There is a room at the end of this corridor, which is surrounded by a mountain crevice and a wall. About 60 years ago, a German delegation, while exploring this area, introduced it as a medieval shrine. During excavations on and around the plateau, pottery belonging to the first half of the first millennium BC was discovered.
Material fortress
The site of the Madi Fortress is located northwest of the Biston Complex, which, according to archeological excavations in 1966, had a rectangular tower and ramparts. The walls of the fort are dry and made of small and large stones. Since the pottery of this structure is similar to the specimens discovered in Noshijan Malayer and Godin Tappeh Kangavar, it is attributed to the Median period. The discovery of a bronze brooch, which dates back to the eighth century BC, reinforces this theory.
Archaeologists believe that the construction of this building is related to the relief plan of Darius and it is probable that Gaumatus the Magi and his collaborators were defeated by Darius in this place.
During the excavation carried out in 2002, pottery artifacts from different historical periods such as the New Bronze Age, Iron Age, Achaemenid, Parthian and Islamic periods were found, which showed that the fortress flourished in the Median period.
Goodarz Stone Painting
Goodarz II lithograph is a historical work from the Parthian period that was nationally registered in 1380 and depicts the victory of Goodarz II over Mehrdad. Mehrdad was a Parthian prince who grew up in the court of the Roman Empire, and Goodarz ruled Iran from 38 to 51 AD. In this petroglyph, which shows a not very clear image of the battle scene, three armored warriors on horseback can be seen, the middle image belongs to the Shah of Iran, Goodarz. In this image, “Nike” (God of Victory) places a crown on Goodarz; While he is riding a horse, he attacks another rider (Mehrdad II) with a spear and throws him off the horse.
Goodarz’s servant, with a spear in his hand and riding a horse, can be seen behind the king, who has risen forward. Another rider can be seen at the bottom of this work. There is an inscription in Greek script for this lithograph which introduces Goodarz as “King of the kings son of Gio” and Mehrdad as “Mehrdad Parsi”.
The role of Mehrdad Ashkani
The relief of Mehrdad, one of the greatest Parthian kings, can be considered one of the oldest surviving works from the Parthian rule, which has great historical value. This work, which was probably carved in 123 to 110 BC, is located just below the inscription of Darius the Achaemenid.
Mehrdad’s relief in Biston is dedicated to his transfer of power to the satraps (local rulers), each of whom stands behind each other in turn, with a profile of Mehrdad. On the head of each person of this relief there is an inscription in Greek script to introduce them. The first person is Goodarz I, the first satrap who succeeds Mehrdad. The name of the second person has completely disappeared, who is probably one of the hereditary princes. The third person is called Mithradates, who is introduced in this inscription with the title of “Pepis Tominus” meaning Amin Shah. The fourth person is called Kufasats.
This relief not only suffered natural damage over time, but also Sheikh Ali Khan Zanganeh, who was the Prime Minister of Shah Suleiman the Safavid, destroyed parts of it in order to sculpt his endowment.
Party Temple
There is a historical monument in the north of the relief of Darius, which experts believe is a temple from the Parthian period. This place consists of two stone slabs that are connected to each other by a number of stone steps. Circular cavities can be seen inside these platforms, which some believe was used as fireplaces in religious ceremonies.
Shah Abbasi Biston Caravanserai
Shah Abbasi Caravanserai is another unique historical monument of Biston, which is located on the old Kermanshah-Hamadan road and was registered as a national monument of Iran in 1974.
This caravanserai, which has an area of more than 6,000 square meters, is built in the style of Safavid caravanserais. The construction of the mentioned work probably started by the order of Shah Abbas I Safavid and according to the inscription on its entrance, apparently it was completed by Sheikh Alikhan Zanganeh.
The caravanserai was renovated during the reign of Nasser al-Din Shah and was used as a grain warehouse in the Pahlavi period. After the Islamic Revolution, he was in charge of the prison administration for 17 years, until the Cultural Heritage Organization finally took it back for restoration.
Shah Abbasi Caravanserai has been converted into a traditional hotel
On each side of this caravanserai there are four porches, two stone platforms and seven arches, and of the four towers in the four outer corners, one tower remains on the northwest side and the remains of a tower on the southeast side remain. After the entrance, a domed porch can be seen, which includes sections such as the royal.
The work of changing the use of Shah Abbasi Biston Caravanserai was started in 2014 so that this historical place could start its activity in the form of a traditional five-star hotel with a capacity of 100 guests.
Inscription of Sheikh Ali Khan
Sheikh Ali Khan, who was initially the ruler of Kermanshah and did a lot of civil works in this region, later became the prime minister of Shah Abbas II and then Shah Suleiman the Safavid and was so trusted that he earned the title of Etemad-ol-Saltaneh.
The inscription of Sheikh Ali Khan, which was nationally registered in 2001, is in fact his endowment, which was carved on the relief of Mehrdad II at the foot of Bistoon Mountain and led to the destruction of this Parthian historical monument.
This archetype, 363 cm long and 276 cm wide, has 15 rows of thirds. The inscription begins with the name of God and it is said that Sheikh Ali Khan in 1093 AH from two estates of Nahr Qara Vali and Chambatan, two estates to Bistoon Caravanserai and four estates to Sadat Fatemi. The calligraphy of Sheikh Ali Khan’s inscription was done by one of the famous Safavid calligraphers named Mohsen Emami.
Remains of a party town
The remains of an ancient city are located in an area 800 meters long and 300 meters wide northeast of Sarab Biston, which archaeologists believe belongs to the Parthian period. It seems that this residential place is related to other Parthian period monuments in Biston (Goodarz map, Mehrdad II, Blash) and was built at the same time.
Sassanid Bridge
Sasani Bridge or Khosrow Bridge with a length of 152.80 meters is located on Gamasiab River, two kilometers from Biston city. According to the construction technique, carving the surface of the stones and sculptural signs, as well as Khosrow Parviz’s interest in the builder, it can be concluded that this historical monument belongs to the Sassanid period. According to some experts, this bridge was part of the Sassanid dam.
The bridge has 9 spans and 10 piers, the bases of which are 3.14 meters long and 2.7 meters wide. Meanwhile, its bases with a hexagonal plan are made of gypsum mortar and carved stone, and the space between the bases is filled with lime mortar and rubble. The bridge is built on a rocky bed that not only prevents the river floor from being washed away, but also regulates the water level. At present, there are no traces of the bridge crossings and openings, and in recent years, indigenous people have placed metal bases on stone bases to cross it.
Paul Biston
Biston Bridge, which is registered in the list of national monuments of Iran, is located on the Dinorab River and is known by several names, including Shah Abbasi Bridge, Safavid Bridge, Old Bridge, Nader Abad Bridge and Dinorab Bridge. This bridge is 144 meters long and since it was built at the end of the Sassanid period, it is attributed to Khosrow Parviz.
According to the evidence, the foundations of the bridge were built in the late Sassanid period, which, like many Sassanid structures in Biston, remained unfinished and was completed in the fourth century AH. During the patriarchal period, the fifth span of the bridge was rebuilt. Restoration of the facade of the fourth bridge and arch takes place in the Safavid and Pahlavi periods, respectively.
The bridge has five spans made of brick with gypsum mortar, except for the fourth span, which has an oval arch, the arch of all its spans is truncated. Except for the side piers, all pillars of the Biston Bridge have a hexagonal plan. The middle part of the bases is in the shape of a rectangular cube with triangular gutters on either side. The foundations of the bridge are made of stone and gypsum mortar and its passage is made of river rubble.
Biston Mountain Caves
The caves of Mount Biston are the Merrill, the Hunter, the Dark Marble, the Dead Sea and the Sunshine, which contain the oldest relics of Biston Mountain from the Paleolithic period.
Hunters Cave: Also known as Biston Cave, this cave is located just above the statue of Hercules and was probably a temporary shelter for hunters who used this place for butcher hunting as well as hiding from wildlife. Shekarchian Cave was registered in 2001 as one of the national monuments of Iran.
Excavations and excavations in the hunters’ cave, in addition to bone and stone tools, found the bones of hogs, gazelles, wild horses, wild cows and deer, as well as the bones of a human forearm, which date back to 70,000 to 40,000 years ago. According to archaeologists, the forearm belonged to a Neanderthal human.
Mar Kher: This cave is located in the northeast of the Hunters’ Cave and because its entrance is round, the locals call it Mar Khar Cave. The oldest artifacts discovered in this cave, such as thick stone blades and abrasives, date back to the Middle Paleolithic period; However, artifacts from other historical periods up to the Sassanid era have been found in this cave. These works help archaeologists to study the climate change, animal and plant diversity and culture of the region in different historical periods.
Dark Mar: In the northwest of Markharl Cave, there is a cave in which the characteristics of the sample industry (stone tool making industry in the Paleolithic era) can be seen from the stone artifacts discovered in it, such as scrapers, chisels, chips, blades, etc. Bones of animals such as fish, bats, mice and insectivorous mammals have also been discovered in the cave.
Dark Mer Cave overlooks a natural platform and its opening is located at a height of three meters from the mountain wall. This cave is about 80 square meters wide and 25 meters deep and looks like a deep and wide corridor. Because the mouth of the cave is southeast, sunlight illuminates it to a depth of several meters during the day. After entering the cave and a few meters ahead, its main axis is inclined to the right at an angle of about 90 degrees.
Mar Aftab: Between the Dark Mar Cave and Mar Dodar, there is another cave that was apparently used as a seasonal residence in the Paleolithic period. A number of stone tools and a bone tool have also been discovered from this cave. This cave is 26 meters deep and its opening with a height of 6 meters is to the northeast, which gradually decreases the height of the cave and eventually reaches less than one meter. The main corridor has an area of 160 square meters, which is separated from the end of the cave by a stalagmite ridge.
Mar Dodar: This cave, which is considered to be the highest cave of Biston with a height of about one to three meters, is located in the northeast of Shekarchian Cave and traces of Paleolithic periods have been discovered in it. The cave is 20 meters deep and because it has two entrances, it is called Mer Dodar. The main mouth of the cave overlooks steep and narrow valleys and the other mouth leads to a path that leads to the cave of the sun and the dark sea.
