In addition to the Pergamon Alter, Berlin's Pergamonmuseum houses a reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate, rebuilt from excavated materials (1899-1914). Several prominent museums around the world have remnants of the gate, mainly the glazed-brick reliefs. Archaeological diaspora.
Originally erected during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC), it is the eighth gate to the Babylon's inner city. Through this gate ran Babylon's Processional Way, leading to a seven-story ziggurat. The Processional is also recreated here, with friezes of the Lion of Ishtar, the Bull of Adad, the Dragon of Marduk. No doubt, the prophet Daniel and his fellow countrymen at some point walked through Ishtar's Gate during their period of exile (597-538 BC). For it was this King Nebuchadnezzar who sacked Jerusalem, destroyed its temple and carried away Judah's more prominent citizens.
Dedicated to the goddess Ishtar, and being part of the Walls of Babylon, it was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World -- until it was superseded by Alexandria's Lighthouse in the third century BC. What I did not know is that the Ishtar Gate was a double-gate. Before me stood the smaller frontal portion. The larger back was considered too massive for the museum and is in storage.
It is an amazing sight to behold.
