Fascinating Fakhrigah Rock Tomb in West Azarbaijan Province
As visitors approach the Fakhrigah Rock Tomb near Mahabad, West Azarbaijan Province, they are greeted by a striking signboard that reads: “Date: One thousand years BCE.”
Not long after, the tomb reveals itself, nestled deep within the heart of the mountain. Two stone pillars stand at the entrance, or porch, having safeguarded the tomb for centuries. Apart from the porch, there is no other means of entry; visitors must scale the rock to reach the tomb.
Upon entering, visitors are greeted by the two pillars, which have been gradually weathered by the elements — sunlight, rain, and wind. Only the bases and capitals remain. The pillars differ in diameter, with the lower section being wider than the upper, giving them the appearance of upside-down vases.
As visitors move through the pillars and into the depths of the tomb, a spacious main room becomes visible, separated from the entrance by two steps. Remarkably, the height from the terrace to the top of the carved ceiling is five hundred and thirty centimeters, and the tomb itself sits ten meters above the mountain plain. However, reaching the tomb requires special climbing skills, as no established pathway exists.
It is believed that the front porch of the Fakhrigah Rock Tomb was used specifically for burial ceremonies, while the actual tombs are located within the inner chamber. There are three tombs in total, with one larger than the others. The larger tomb is positioned parallel to the terrace, while the two smaller tombs are perpendicular to it. These tombs have been carved into the rock and are approximately fifty centimeters deep. Inside the tomb, four additional pillars can be found. Compared to those on the porch, these pillars are thinner and feature rectangular bases and capitals.
Numerous rock tombs are scattered throughout the mountains of Iran, and Fakhrigah lies at the northernmost point. It is part of the Medes heritage that has endured in the region. Other notable Medes rock tombs include the Shirin and Farhad Tomb in Sahneh and the Dokan-e-Davood tomb near Sarpol-e Zahab. Fakhrigah is located in a limestone mountain and was registered as a national heritage site of Iran in 1937, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Arts.