The architectural part found and known as the Ishtar Gate is one of the most significant and well preserved discovery from Mesopotamia region. This great gate was constructed in Babylon with the King Nebuchadnezzar II about in the 575 BC whereby it acted as the main entry gate to the city of Babylon. However, at the present moment you can only see its partial reconstruction in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany. It will therefore be interesting to look at some of the origins of this ancient structural marvel that is the Colosseum.
A Brief Background of the Ishtar Gate
The Ishtar Gate was a gate that was devoted to the Mesopotamian deity of love, fertility, and war; named Ishtar. It was one of the projects that could beautify Babylon, and elaborate on the power and opulence of the Babylonian kingdom.
This Gate was built out of ornamental elements of colored blue glazed bricks with images of mythical animals and symbols. The most often depicted animals were the mythical bulls or “lamassus” with the human bearded head, the lion body and the wings of an eagle.
Gate of Ishtar and its Importance
The Ishtar Gate of course was a very religious and symbolic gate in the old Babylonian civilization. Not only did it perform its practical purpose of being an entrance to the city, but it symbolized the link between earth and gods. It was assumed that people who crossed through the gate were leaving one world and entering the world of the goddess Ishtar.
This particular gate laid down a view of how prosperous Babylon as it created a serious impression on the people who got to see it. It was regarded as the major evidence of the engineering and artistic abilities of the Babylonians.
The Reconstruction in Berlin
Late in the nineteenth century and early in the twentieth century, German archaeologists was allowed to dig at Babylon by Ottoman Empire authority. Various parts of the Ishtar gate have been unearthed, and each fragment was taken with considerable caution to Germany.
At present, an exact replica of this gate and the ‘’Processional Way’’ and the façade of the ‘’Throne room’’ is a highlight of the Pergamon museum in Berlin. This museum displays many interesting artifacts, which are of high importance for archaeology all around the world.
Key Facts about the Ishtar Gate Reconstruction:
The gate was rebuilt with the original glazed brick and strictly according to the historical and archeological data and texts.)
The reconstruction is over 14 meters high and 30 meters wide, so the visitors can get an idea of the grandeur of the gate, it’s scale.
The historical color and structure of the gate were recreating to the extent possible so that people could feel its beauty firsthand.
The video describes how to get to the Ishtar Gate in Berlin.
For anybody who is thinking of taking a tour to Berlin, do not miss out on the beautiful reconstruction of Ishtar gate at the Pergamon Museum. Here are a few tips for your visit:
Tips for Visiting the Pergamon Museum:
It has a section on the opening times of the museum – be sure to check these before you visit.
It is also advised to buy the tickets from the internet to be saved from waiting in queues for long hours.
Ensure that you take your time to appreciate the design on the gate and anything that you which maybe be history about it.
May your cruise to the Ishtar Gate be coincide with a tour of other interesting sections in the museum including the Pergamon Altar and the Processional way leading to the Babylonian Ishtar gate.
Conclusion
The Ishtar Gate in Berlin is a magnificent way to not only observe the actual beauty of the ancient Babylonians and architecture, but also learn of its culture. Thanks to its partial restoration visitors can see first hand what this magnificent structure must have been like and, in many ways, still signifies at its core. Therefore do not let the opportunity to see at least the look of the Ishtar gate and learn a lot of interesting things on the site’s history.
Table of Contents