Iraq — Media Gallery

The Baghdad Kiosk in the Fourth Courtyard of the Topkapi Palace.

Another view of the Hatra archeological site. Hatra is one of three areas in Iraq that is a World Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Defense/ Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano.

The Parthian Temple of Mrn is one of thirteen temples that are a part of the Hatra complex. Hatra is one of three areas in Iraq that is a World Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Defense/ Staff Sgt. JoAnn Makinano.

View from Saddam Hussein's former summer palace showing the ruins of ancient Babylon in the background. Photo courtesy of the US Navy/ Arlo K. Abrahamson.

Aerial view of the ruins of the ancient city of Hatra, located approximately 290 km (180 mi) northwest of Baghdad. Hatra was a strongly fortified caravan city and capital of the small Kingdom of Hatra, located between the Parthian and Roman Empires. Hatra flourished during the 2nd century A.D., but was destroyed and deserted in the 3rd century. Its impressive ruins were discovered in the 19th century. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Defense / Sgt. 1st Class Wendy Butts.

The Great Ziggurat of Ur stands after 4,000 years. Construction on the ziggurat was completed in the 21st century B.C. in the ancient Sumerian city of Ur near present-day Nasiriyah on the Euphrates River, about 370 km (225 mi) southeast of Baghdad. The ziggurat was part of a temple complex that served as an administrative center for the city, and that was also a shrine of the moon god Nanna, the patron deity of Ur. The site was extensively excavated between 1922 to 1934. Part of the facade of the lower stage and the ceremonial stairway were reconstructed by the regime of Saddam Hussein. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force / Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marasky.

The remains of several temples and the ancient walls that surrounded them can be seen from atop the highest temple in the center of the ancient city of Hatra. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Defense.

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