Latest update: 08/03/2010 

- Iraq - legislative elections


The palace that Nebuchadnezzar built

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"The Door of God" is an historic edifice lying in ruins south of Baghdad. Its long and complex history spans the kings of ancient Babylon, Saddam Hussein, and the US army.

By Robert PARSONS / Willy BRACCIANO (video)
 

“The Door of God” is an enormous edifice built by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II in 605 BC. It once housed the kings of Babylon, but it now lies in ruins.

Oddly enough, the person who re-discovered the site and championed its restoration was Saddam Hussein, who thought of himself as a descendent of the kings of Babylon.

Major reconstruction of the site began in 1995, and Hussein even built one of his own palaces on top of the ruins.

In 2003, an even more unlikely tenant set up camp: the US army.

Given its rich history and UN World Heritage status, the site would seemingly have potential as a tourist attraction. But the dust needs to settle in this turbulent nations before this has any chance of success.

Date created : 07/03/2010 
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