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