Rock Relief of Fath-Ali Shah

The rock relief of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar is located in the historic Cheshmeh-Ali site in Rey (Tehran Province). This stone carving is cut into the mountain wall at a height of about 20 to 30 meters above the ground and depicts the Qajar king together with his sons. In this bas-relief, Fath-Ali Shah is seated on a throne resembling the Peacock Throne, with his sons gathered around him. The historic inscription was registered on the National Heritage list on 9 Farvardin 1378 (29 March 1999) under number 2284, and in 2009 (1388) the District 20 Municipality installed 24 colored floodlights at the site, giving it a striking appearance.

Unfortunately, in recent decades parts of the relief have been damaged or removed; for example, the lion's tail in the scene of Fath-Ali Shah hunting a lion was moved to the museum of the Rey Cement Factory. Scientific studies also estimate that the work was made around 1246 AH (lunar Hijri). Fath-Ali Shah's decision to carve an image of himself and his courtiers into the rock was unprecedented in post-Islamic Iran, because for centuries, due to religious restrictions, images of kings were not depicted in public view.

To reach this historic monument, visitors can walk through Cheshmeh-Ali Park in Rey, and a visit is free of charge. The best time to visit is during daylight hours, especially in the morning, when the sunlight falls on the rock and the details of the relief are easier to see. Respecting heritage-tourism etiquette is essential here: visitors should not get too close to the relief, and should not scratch or alter the stone, and should preferably stay on the marked paths so that the historic fabric of the area is not harmed.