Sang-e Balash (Balash Stone)

Sang-e Balash, or the Balash Relief, is one of the ancient monuments surviving from the Parthian (Arsacid) era. It is located in the Bisotun cultural-historical site in Harsin County, Kermanshah Province. This rock carving was added to Iran's National Heritage List on 19 Esfand 1380 (Solar Hijri) under registration number 4884.

The work is carved on an irregular four-sided boulder about 2.5 metres high with a circumference of more than 6 metres. The main figure is the Parthian king Balash, shown frontally with royal details: long hair, a ball-shaped beard, a necklace, a belt and a wide skirt. He holds a cup in his left hand and moves toward a fire altar, to which his right hand is stretched out. On either side of the central figure are two other, similar figures who appear to be walking toward Balash. An inscription in Parthian Pahlavi is carved on the body of the fire altar. Part of it survives and reads: "This is the image of Vologases, King of Kings, son of Vologases, King of Kings, grandson of…". The final part of the inscription is completely damaged, and it is unclear which of the Parthian kings it refers to.

To visit Sang-e Balash, you need to go to the Bisotun World Heritage site. This complex lies at the foot of Mount Bisotun, 30 kilometres northeast of Kermanshah. The relief is about 400 metres northeast of the relief of Gotarzes II (Gudarz) the Parthian, and it can be reached by marked paths within the Bisotun site. The best time to visit is during the mild seasons of spring and autumn, so you can enjoy both pleasant weather and good light for seeing the details of the stonework. When you visit, please help preserve this valuable heritage by following the principles of responsible nature tourism: do not touch or damage the monuments, do not place objects on the stone, and do not litter the surroundings.