Old Bagdad

The etymology of the word Baghdad may be the Persian words, bad and dad, which together mean gift of God. Baghdad was planned in 758 CE, under a team led by Mansur. It was laid out in a circle about 2 km in diameter, in the Sasanian tradition, and was described as the 'Round City'. There were areas for housing and commerce within the city walls. The Golden Gate Palace  and a mosque were at the centre. Steps led down to the river and there were many gardens within the city. Nothing of the original layout survives.