Dokkan-e Davud Rock-Cut Tomb

The Dokkan-e Davud rock-cut tomb (locally known as Kel Dav or Kol-e Davud) is located in the village of Kol-e Davud, in Sarpol-e Zahab County, Kermanshah Province. This rock tomb dates to the Median or Achaemenid period and was registered as a National Monument of Iran on 15 Dey 1310 (Solar Hijri) under national registration number 152. The tomb lies about three kilometres southeast of Sarpol-e Zahab, just a hundred metres from the main Kermanshah–Sarpol-e Zahab road. It is carved into the face of a tall rock cliff, which makes it somewhat difficult and challenging to reach.

Inside this rock tomb you will see a rectangular porch measuring 9.60 metres in length along the front façade and 7.32 metres along the rear, with a width of 1.95 metres and a height of 2.60 metres. The entrance of the porch leads to a room at the back, which measures 2.83 metres in length, 2.31 metres in width and 2.18 metres in height. In this room there are five niches for votive offerings, as well as an oval grave about 70 centimetres deep. The ceiling of the front porch is flat, while the ceiling of the back room is arched. In addition, about eight metres below the tomb, a relief is carved into the rock showing the profile of a man wearing a brimmed hat, with his right hand raised in prayer. Researchers attribute it to the Seleucid period.

The Dokkan-e Davud tomb is not merely a historic monument; it also holds special religious significance for followers of the Yarsan faith. They believe this place is the tomb of one of the seven holy figures of their faith, and they hold particular religious ceremonies here. Some pilgrims enter the site barefoot and present their offerings inside the tomb or near the porch, which shows the continuity of spiritual and cultural beliefs alongside the historical value of the site.

Getting to the Dokkan-e Davud tomb is fairly easy: if you set out from Kermanshah, you will reach it after about 80 minutes by road. The main route starts on the Kermanshah–Sarpol-e Zahab road, then continues along the Anzal side road, and finally it is only a 100-metre walk to the tomb. The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when the weather is milder and the surrounding landscape is at its most beautiful. A visit does not take long, and two to three hours is usually enough. Keeping quiet, not leaving litter behind and respecting local religious beliefs are also important principles of responsible nature tourism at this site.