About Hanging Gardens of Babylon: desert! The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of history's greatest mysteries. Ancient writers described a spectacular series of tiered gardens filled with trees, flowers, and cascading plants, supposedly built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife Amytis, who missed the green hills of her homeland. No one has ever found solid archaeological proof of exactly where — or even if — they existed. The Most Mysterious Wonder — It's the only Ancient Wonder whose location — and very existence — is still debated by historians today.

Location: Babylon, near modern Hillah, Iraq · Built: Around 600 BC (legendary date) · Described Height: Tiered terraces, several stories tall · Purpose: A gift of love · Builder: King Nebuchadnezzar II · Engineering Puzzle: A mystery irrigation system · Historical Debate: Existence still unproven · Alternate Theory: Maybe in Nineveh, not Babylon · Sources: Known only through ancient writers