town situated about 55 miles (88 km) south of Shīrāz, in the Fars region of south-central Iran. The town is said to have been founded by the Sāsānian king Ardashīr I (AD 224–241) in commemoration of his victory over the Parthian king Artabanus. The Sāsānian town was circular in plan and had a high tower topped by a fire altar in the centre. The ruined palace of Ardashīr I in the town is the oldest extant example of Sāsānian architecture. The name of the town was changed in the middle of the 10th century because the citizens felt that gūr (Persian: “grave”) had unpleasant connotations. Pop. (2006) 59,306.