History of Rey

Ray is richer than many other ancient cities in the number of its historical monuments, among which one might refer to the 3000-year-old Gebri castle, the 5000-year-old Cheshmeh Ali hill, the 1000-year-old BibiShahrBanoo tomb and Shah Abbasi caravansary. It has been home to pillars of science like Rhazes.

After the Mongol conquest the town was severely damaged and it gradually lost its importance in the presence of nearby Tehran.

There is also a shrine there, dedicated to commemorate Princess ShahrBanu, eldest daughter of the last ruler of the Sassanid Empire. She gave birth to Ali Zayn al Abidin, the fourth holy Imam of the Shia faith. This was through her marriage to Husaynibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. A nearby mountain is also named after her. However, some sources attribute the shrine to the goddess of water and