Band-e Kaisar, Roman bridge and dam in Shushtar, Iran
Band-e Kaisar is a Roman structure spanning approximately 500 meters across the Karun River, built with 44 arches made from sandstone blocks and Roman concrete. The construction combines bridge and dam functions in one unified work that continues to channel water into historic irrigation canals serving the surrounding fields.
The structure was built in 265 CE under Shapur I, who employed captured Roman soldiers and engineers, including Emperor Valerian, to construct this hydraulic system. Its creation marked a turning point in regional engineering and established techniques that endured for centuries afterward.
The name "Band-e Kaisar" means "Emperor's Dam" and reflects the Roman origins that remain woven into local memory and stories. Visitors can see how the structure continues to shape daily life as water flows through ancient channels to irrigate the surrounding fields.
The best time to visit is outside the hottest months, when light and temperature make exploring the arches and structure more comfortable. The site is easily accessible on foot, and visitors should wear sturdy shoes to safely navigate the uneven surfaces of the stone work.
The structure was so impressive that it appears in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, the Persian national epic, where it is attributed to King Anushiravan. This literary mention makes it one of the few ancient engineering works immortalized in classical poetry.
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