B
Written By
Bil Weekend
Editorial Team
Key Facts
- Ziggurat of Ur
- Built c. 2100 BC
- Dur-Kurigalzu Height
- 52 metres
- Builder of Ur
- King Ur-Nammu
- Borsippa Distance
- 17.7 km from Babylon
These incredible structures from ancient Iraq are like temples out of a fantasy novel like Dune! Picture a massive, terraced pyramid with layers of steps, leading up to a shrine perched at the top. That's a ziggurat!
But these aren't just any old buildings; they played a pivotal role in ancient Mesopotamian culture and religion.
Ziggurat of Ur
In the heart of Dhi-Qar, Iraq, you'll find the Ziggurat of Ur. It was built around 2100 B.C. by Sumerian King Ur-Nammu to honour the moon god Nanna. What's fascinating is that this ziggurat is like a compass, with its four corners pointing precisely in the cardinal directions.