A most interesting site, located west of Shiraz, in Iran's archaeological belt, where so much history has been revealed as a result of extensive excavations and restoration. Bishapur, meaning the beautiful city of Shapur, was built by Shapur the first (241-273 AD), the second Sassanian king, who threw back the Roman invaders and captured the Emperor Valerian in Eddesa.
From then until its capture and destruction by the Arabs around 637 A.D. ,Bishapur was an important Sassanian city. The building complex includes a central chamber, a large courtyard, which had been covered with impressive mosaics, plus the remains of a temple dedicated to Anahita, the goddess of water and fertility. At Bishapur, on either side of a narrow gorge, there are also six Sassanian rock reliefs, commemorating Shapur's victories over the Romans, for which the site is justly famous.