ISHTAR GATE

The Ishtar Gate is located in the south wing of the Pergamonmuseum, at the end of the Processional Way, a 30-meter-long stretch flanked by two rows of lions, like the entrance into Babylon, the ancient capital of Mesopotamia, now in Iraq.

This enormous gate was one of nine entrances to Babylon, and was dedicated to Ishtar, the goddess of love and war. It is covered in blue and gold glass-like ceramic tiles with animal figures. Take note of the bulls, sacred to the god Adad, and other strange creatures: the mushussu, legendary dragons covered in scales, with the head and tail of a snake, the body and front paws of a lion and the hind claws of an eagle, emblems of the god Mardùk. These creatures were designed to protect the entrance to Babylon, warding off enemies.