PlanetEye

There is a fantastic exhibition on Babylon: Myth and Legend running in the Pergamon Museum from now until October 5th. A joint work between the Pergamon, Louvre and British museums, the exhibition covers the historical fact of Babylon as well as the role it's legend plays in our society as a symbol of sin, corruption and tyranny.

If you haven't been to the Pergamon Museum yet, this is just another reason to go. It is home to the overwhelmingly impressive Pergamon Altar - my first instinct upon walking in there was "Oh. My. God. They've stolen entire buildings!" - as well as a three storey Roman gate (currently undergoing restoration), Egyptian statues, Greek baths and a large islamic collection of art, religon and architecture.

Playing one of the central roles in the current exhibition is the Ishtar Gate and the Processional Way of Babylon. These huge blue-tiled walls with thir reliefs of lions and dragons were once one of the Seven Ancient Wonders, but were replaced in later lists by the lighthouse of Alexandria. They are part of the permanent collection, so even if you miss this exhibition you have a chance to wander (and wonder) along them.

Tickets to the exhibition can be purchased online or at the door, but are associated with a definate entrance time and only valid for entrance within a 30 minute time frame of what is shown on the ticket. Entrance to both the mueum and the Babylon exhibition is 12€, while 15€ will also give you entrance to the other museums on the island.