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Bishapur - Cave of Shapur

Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius.
About five kilometers to east of the city of Bishapur, and beyond the reliefs in the Tang-e Chowgan gorge, there's a wide valley between two lines of rocks, some 450-500 meters high. In the northern mountains is, at a height of about 400 meters, the Mundan Cave, which is also known as the Cave of Shapur. It is hard to discern in from the valley, but this picture may be useful.
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The entrance of the cave is about twenty meters wide and five meters high, but inside, it is larger and reaches a height of twelve meter. It contains a monumental colossus of the Sasanian king Shapur I (241-272). There is also a well. It has been assumed that the cave was meant as tomb of the king.
Like the representations of the king on the reliefs in the valley (e.g., relief 2), the king is shown with long hair, a crown, and all his weapons. When the Arabs conquered Iran in the seventh century, the statue was pulled down and its legs were destroyed.
The portrait of Shapur, who enjoys the splendid view you can see on the next photo; to the right is the Tang-e Chowgan gorge with the reliefs, and at a distance is the site of the city. 
The best way to go to the cave is to hire a guide at the entrance of the excavation of Bishapur, and ask for a driver from the village in the valley. (Announce your visit well in advance.) You will need about two hours to drive to the village, climb the mountain, and return to the entrance of the excavation.
 
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