Bishapur Ancient City

An ancient Sasanian city in southwestern Iran, founded in AD 266 by Shapur I to celebrate his victory over Rome. Located 15 km west of Kazerun along the Shapur River, it was designed on a Hippodamian grid with intersecting north-south and east-west streets. The royal citadel included the Anahita Temple, a Ceremonial Hall, and palaces with elaborate mosaic floors covering over 100 sq m, blending Hellenistic-Roman and Persian artistic traditions. The nearby Chogan gorge contains six monumental rock reliefs depicting Sasanian royal victories. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 as part of the Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars.