The Archaeological Gate of Babylon – Ishtar – Iraq’s Antiquities.

The Ishtar Gate is one of the most famous archaeological landmarks in Iraq and was part of the walls of the ancient city of Babylon. This gate was built during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BC) and served as the main entrance to the city.

Features of the Ishtar Gate:

Design: The gate is adorned with glazed bricks in blue and yellow and decorated with relief carvings of mythical creatures such as dragons and bulls.

Symbolism: It was named after Ishtar, the goddess of love and war in Mesopotamian civilization, symbolizing the power and grandeur of Babylon.

The Sacred Way: The gate led to the Processional Street, a ceremonial road decorated with magnificent reliefs, used for religious festival processions.

Currently, the original Ishtar Gate is preserved in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany, while a replica is located in Iraq, inside the Babylon Museum.