I explored Saddam Hussein’s abandoned palace, perched right above the ancient ruins of Babylon. It’s a surreal, haunting juxtaposition: a 20th-century monument of ego overlooking the 4,000-year-old cradle of civilization. The site is controversial because Saddam actually destroyed parts of the original ruins to make room for this palace. He even had his name stamped into the new bricks used to rebuild the ancient walls. Visiting Iraq with bilweekend #Babylon #Iraq #visitiraq #travelvlog #katieca

I explored Saddam Hussein’s abandoned palace, perched right above the ancient ruins of Babylon. It’s a surreal, haunting juxtaposition: a 20th-century monument of ego overlooking the 4,000-year-old cradle of civilization. Visiting Iraq with bilweekend #Babylon #Iraq #visitiraq #travelvlog #katiecaftravel

I explored Saddam Hussein’s abandoned palace, perched right above the ancient ruins of Babylon. Inside these crumbling halls, the ego is tangible: Saddam famously ‘restored’ the 4,000-year-old walls using modern bricks inscribed with his own name, mimicking the ancient kings who came before him. It’s a chilling, physical manifestation of a leader trying to force his way into a history that wasn’t his to claim. A surreal look at how power attempts to overwrite time. #katiecaftravel

I explored Saddam Hussein’s abandoned palace, perched right above the ancient ruins of Babylon. This hilltop estate is as controversial as it is grand; portions of the original site were leveled to make way for the construction. Today, you can still see the modern bricks Saddam used to ‘restore’ the ancient walls, each one stamped with his name—a 20th-century signature on a 4,000-year-old masterpiece. Visiting Iraq with bilweekend #katiecaftravel