Final answer:
The Ishtar Gate, constructed around 575 BCE, is a historical marvel adorned with lapis lazuli glazed bricks and depictions of sacred animals. It once stood in ancient Babylon and now a reconstruction can be admired at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Ishtar Gate was constructed around 575 BCE during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. It is famously known for its spectacular design covered in lapis lazuli glazed bricks, providing the façade with a sparkling, jewel-like shine. This impressive structure featured alternating rows of animals such as lions, representing Ishtar the goddess of fertility and war; aurochs, representing the storm god Adad; and dragons, symbolizing Marduk, the patron god of the city, all marching in a relief procession across the vibrant blue surface of the gate. These animals were depicted in glazed brick in colors of blue, gold, and brown, giving the gate a striking appearance.
In the present day, a reconstruction of the Ishtar Gate can be viewed at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, where its grandeur continues to be an object of fascination and study for those interested in Neo-Babylonian art and architecture.