Bishapur

Bishapur is a historical city, dated back to the Sasanian Empire, which placed adjacent to the Tang-e Chogan, in Fars province.

Bishapur is an ancient city that was one of the greatest cities in Iran. Bishapur includes the Temple of Anahita, the divinity of the waters. This old city has an area of two thousand hectares.
 

• History

The history of Bishapur is written on an ancient inscription. According to this inscription, Bishapur dates back to the Sasanian Empire. It was built when Shapur I ruled Iran. Bishapur was built on the route of Persepolis to Ctesiphon under the command of Shapur I. Due to the pleasant weather and the existence of water next to this region, Bishapur was chosen as the best place.

• Architecture

  The city of Bishapur was designed based on the engineering method that was innovated by Hippodamus, the father of European urban planning. Bishapur included two main streets, which intersected each other. One of the streets was north-south, and the other one was east-west. At the point of Intersection, there are two high columns that contain valuable inscriptions. This city had four gates, with the western gate being the main entrance gate. Bishapur contains two main parts as follows:
   
  • Royal citadel, which included the Temple of Anahita, the Hall of Ceremonies, the Mosaic portal, and the Palace of Valerian.
  • Public area which included residential houses, Baths, Caravanserai, and Bazaar.

• Temple of Anahita

Due to the importance of water for Zoroastrians, some temples have been built to honor water. Anahita was the most important temple in the ancient city of Bishapur. It was one of the prominent architectural monuments of the Sasanian Empire. People used to navigate the water of the Shapur River to this temple, then controlled and classified it. Locating more than half of its height underground is an interesting point about the architecture of this temple. Also, the hall of ceremonies is placed on the southeastern side of the Temple of Anahita with an area of 781 square meters.

• Relief of Tang-e Chogan

There are six fabulous reliefs on the rocks in Tang-e Chogan. Three of them narrate the Shapur I victory over Valerian, emperor of Rome.  Three others narrate the coronation of Bahram I, the victories of Bahram II, and Shapur II.
 

• What is the best time to go?

Late March until early June is the best time to visit Bishapur.

• Getting there?

Bishapur is located 23 kilometers northwest of Kazerun and near the Tang-e Chogan, in Fars province. It takes 30 minutes by car from Kazerun to the Tang-e Chogan. You can reach the Tang-e Chogan through Shiraz - Qaemyeh Highway.