Baalbek

travel wonder in Lebanon

Why Baalbek

is special

Baalbek in Lebanon is one of the world's grandest archaeological sites. It's hard to imagine the enormity and greatness of the Roman-built Baalbek temples without actually being there.

Baalbek

tips & insights

Baakbek has two major temple ruins: Jupiter and Bacchus.

This Temple of Jupiter of Baalbek was once twice the size of Athens's Parthenon.

Another indicator is the size of several of the temple's brick-shaped cut stones - they measure 20 meters (63 feet) in length.

The Corinthian pillars that supported the Temple of Jupiter roof were massive, too.

Six still stand (see photo).

The Temple of Bacchus of Baalbek is one of the largest and best preserved ancient Roman sanctuaries.

The Temple of Bacchus (like the Temple of Jupiter and some other historic Baalbek structures) was severely damaged relatively recently (mid-18th century) by a fierce earthquake. However, today, it’s in better shape than its neighbors.

Baalbek means "Baal City" in Phoenician. It was named after the sun god Baal, the one now associated with pagan rituals.

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©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications