Babylon

Entrance to the ancient city of Babylon. This gate is a smaller modern reproduction
of the Ishtar Gate.

Original layout of Babylon

Outer walls of ancient palace compound. The bricks in the lower quarter of
the wall are original construction. The bricks above that are modern
construction, done by Saddam. Much of the original city has been covered
by sand over the centuries. The archway visible here was once the top of
a 12 foot high doorway.

View of Saddam's palace from the ruins of Nebuchanezzar's palace.

Overview of the North Palace.

Another view of the old and the new

A few bricks are in the original walls that bear cuneiform writing, which says
that the city was built by Nebuchanezzar around 600 BC.

Saddam included bricks in the new construction, saying that he was
responsible for rebuilding the city in the 1990s.

The Ishtar Gate is protected by two gods. This one is Marduk.

And this one is known as Vale

The famous Lion of Babylon's head was blown off by Nazis, who suspected
that the statue had a core of gold.