Naser al-Din Shah relief, Rock relief in Bala Larijan Rural District, Iran
The Naser al-Din Shah relief is a stone carving set into the mountainside, showing the shah mounted on horseback with ten officials arranged beside him. The work covers a substantial surface and forms part of the landscape along an historic route.
The relief was created in 1878 to mark a newly built road that connected regions during the Qajar period. This work was part of infrastructure development undertaken at that time.
The stone features Persian verses carved into it, showing how visual art and written words were combined in Iranian craftsmanship of that era. This blend of image and poetry reflects what was valued in the period.
The relief sits near the Haraz river and can be reached using local transportation routes. The location lies along a major road, making it easy for visitors to stop and view it.
During World War II, Russian soldiers used the relief for target practice, leaving bullet marks that remain visible on the stone today. These marks serve as an unexpected reminder of the site's wartime past.
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