Kermanshah Flower Garden—a gigantic painting laid out on the ground!

Since humans mastered agricultural techniques, their aesthetic sensibilities have also led them to cultivate flowers and ornamental plants. Today, many cities around the world have gardens specifically for growing and showcasing various flowers. In Kermanshah, a city in western Iran, there is a large garden called the "Kermanshah Flower Garden." Today, this flower garden is one of Kermanshah’s prominent attractions, drawing numerous tourists to the city each year.

Geography and History of Kermanshah Flower Garden

The initial idea for creating the Kermanshah Flower Garden was proposed in 2012 (1391 in the Iranian calendar), and after a two-year construction period, the garden was inaugurated. Kermanshah’s geography and its location alongside the Zagros Mountains were among the reasons for establishing the garden. The city has a temperate mountainous climate and historically served as a seasonal settlement, attracting the attention of rulers and kings of Iran. Historically, Kermanshah was known as one of the royal residences of the Sassanid kings (3rd to 7th century CE). The city’s average annual temperature is 14°C, with an average rainfall of 456.8 mm. These climatic conditions, along with the relative humidity, have resulted in the surrounding areas being covered with pastures and forests. High mountains encircle Kermanshah on all sides, with Mount Parav, at 3,357 meters, being the tallest.

Kermanshah Flower Garden: Design and Features

The Kermanshah Flower Garden covers a total area of 5.3 hectares and features a large fountain, symbolizing one of the most important elements of a traditional Persian garden. Persian gardens are now widely recognized worldwide, and several examples have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The design of the Kermanshah Flower Garden is such that it resembles a giant painting laid out.

Different Sections of Kermanshah Flower Garden

In the various sections of Kermanshah Flower Garden, flowers and plants from Iran, Japan, France, and Italy have been cultivated. Visiting the garden gives you the chance to see around 4,000 plant species from different countries, including 300 types of shrubs and 100 varieties of cacti. Most of the seeds used in the garden are imported from the Netherlands. Other attractions include a cactus exhibition, several small ponds, grassy hills, seasonal flowers, an aquarium, a rock garden, and an English-style garden. Throughout the garden, gazebos provide peaceful spots for visitors to rest and enjoy the colorful flowers, making the experience both delightful and memorable. 

In Kermanshah Flower Garden, there are also two buildings: one is the garden’s pavilion, and the other is an educational complex. The educational complex hosts activities related to the collection and research of various plant species. Since the primary goal of establishing Kermanshah Flower Garden is to promote environmental conservation awareness, a dedicated area has been created for children, allowing them to learn about environmental protection principles while enjoying the garden. 

The Flower Garden is located along the so-called “Kermanshah Ring Road” in the southwest of the city, opposite Sina Hospital, and it is open to visitors free of charge. On special days when the number of visitors increases, tour guides provide explanations and educational information about the flowers and plants in the garden. Several other recreational attractions, including the “Sadaf Bird Garden” and “Shirin Park,” make a visit to the Flower Garden even more enjoyable. Among these, the Sadaf Bird Garden—about 800 meters from the Flower Garden—covers an area of two hectares and, since 2011, has gathered over 30,000 birds from 130 different species, making it one of the largest bird-keeping centers in southwestern Asia.