Baalbek Roman Ruins
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Well worth the trip from Beiruit. The temple of Jupitar is large on a scale that is incomprehensible until you see it. It is truly impressive, even if you have seen many Roman ruins in your travels before. The temple complex is well-persevered and it is a truly enjoyable and peaceful day walking through the ruins and taking in the complex. It earns its UNESCO status. Getting to Baalbek as a tourist without a car (and no Arabic) was a bit of an adventure. To get from where the minibus leaves in Beirut, I had to pay a kid with a motorcycle off the street to take me to the minibus stop as no taxis would take me there without trying to fleece me. On the minibus I had to rely on the kindness of strangers to let me know when my stop would be to transfer to the other minibus to go to Baalbek. When I was getting off, I gave the driver money expecting change but of course he just pocketed it. On the next minibus, when the driver heard me speaking English, he called me to the front and told me the ride would be $25 USD and when I scoffed he asked "how much is a taxi from the airport in New York, what is $25, nothing?" This ridiculous logic aside (it was a bus, not a taxi, in terrible condition, and in Lebanon, not NY), I ended up paying him about $1.50 USD which was still a dollar more than everyone else paid. Oh Lebanon. On a serious note, to go from Beirut to Baalbek you will be passing through several military checkpoints. I counted around 6 roadblocks, but only 3 were manned. Armed men came on and said things in Arabic and checked people's IDs. I do not know which groups each of these men represent but they did not care about me as a foreigner (American) and just waved me off when they saw my passport without even checking it. Because of Lebanon's complicated history, they obviously cared more about who the Lebanese people were on the bus. No one was taken off the bus though and the situations were not that tense despite their guns. The city of Baalbek is heavily shia muslim so you will see Hezbollah flags all over the place.
Michael MirandaMichael Miranda
10
A few miles from the swamp from which the Litani (the classical Leontes) and the Asi (the upper Orontes) flow, Baalbek may be the same as the manbaa al-nahrayn ("Source of the Two Rivers"), the abode of El in the Ugaritic Baal Cycle[8] discovered in the 1920s and a separate serpent incantation.[9][10] Baalbek was called Heliopolis during the Roman Empire, a latinisation of the Greek Hēlioúpolis (Ἡλιούπολις) used during the Hellenistic Period, [11] meaning "Sun City"[12] in reference to the solar cult there. The name is attested under the Seleucids and Ptolemies.[13] However, Ammianus Marcellinus notes that earlier "Assyrian" names of Levantine towns continued to be used alongside the official Greek ones imposed by the Diadochi, who were successors of Alexander the Great.[14] In Greek religion, Helios was both the sun in the sky and its personification as a god. The local Semitic god Baʿal Haddu was more often equated with Zeus or Jupiter or simply called the "Great God of Heliopolis",[15][b] but the name may refer to the Egyptians' association of Baʿal with their great god Ra.[13][c] It was sometimes described as Heliopolis in Syria or Coelesyria (Latin: Heliopolis Syriaca or Syriae) to distinguish it from its namesake in Egypt. In Catholicism, its titular see is distinguished as Heliopolis in Phoenicia, from its former Roman province Phoenice. The importance of the solar cult is also attested in the name Biḳāʿ al-ʿAzīz borne by the plateau surrounding Baalbek, as it references an earlier solar deity and not later men, named Aziz. In Greek and Roman antiquity, it was known as Heliopolis. It still possesses some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Lebanon, including one of the largest temples of the empire. The gods that were worshipped there (Jupiter, Venus, and Bacchus) were equivalents of the Canaanite deities Hadad, Atargatis. Local influences are seen in the planning and layout of the temples, as they vary from the classic Roman design
P MoosavinezhadP Moosavinezhad
10
Baalbek Ruins - A Glimpse into Lebanon's Rich History If you're interested in history and ancient civilizations, then a visit to Baalbek Ruins in Lebanon should be on your bucket list. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Lebanon's most significant historical sites and an excellent testament to the country's rich cultural past. Located in the Beqaa Valley, the Baalbek Ruins are a testament to a civilization that dates back over 5,000 years. The ruins consist of a colossal temple complex dedicated to the gods of the Heliopolitan Triad: Jupiter, Venus, and Bacchus. The site is impressive, with large blocks of stone, intricate carvings, and grand columns that are still standing tall today. Visiting Baalbek Ruins is a truly awe-inspiring experience. As you walk around, you can feel the weight of history that surrounds you. From the towering columns of the Temple of Bacchus to the intricately carved walls of the Temple of Jupiter, every corner of this site has something fascinating to offer. In addition to its historical significance, the Baalbek Ruins are also a great place for photography. With its grand architecture and dramatic lighting, the ruins provide the perfect backdrop for capturing stunning images. Visiting during the day can be quite hot, and it is suggested to come prepared with water and sunscreen. The site also offers guided tours that can help you get a better understanding of the history and significance of the ruins. Overall, the Baalbek Ruins is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and ancient civilizations. Its grand temples, intricate carvings, and towering columns offer an awe-inspiring glimpse into Lebanon's rich cultural past. A visit here will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the country's history and the achievements of ancient civilizations.
Leticia ChobokLeticia Chobok
00
From Heliopolis to Baalbek It is definitely a must to tour Baalbek when you come to Lebanon! Even the trip from Beirut to Baalbek is worth the time and efforts you'll have to take to get there and back. Beautiful nature on both sides of the road, make short stops here and there and experience the warm-heartedness of the local population living in the the countryside and in the greening Beqaa Valley. After your arrival to the site of Baalbek you should see its temple complex, fortified as the town's citadel during the Middle Ages. I was built from local stone, mostly white granite and a rough white marble. But you should bring enough time to see all those silent witnesses of Roman and Greek history! You better wear good shoes when walking around, the uneven ground might be a challenge for your feet... But what you'll see will for sure compensate you for all your efforts to travel and explore. Nevertheless, don't expext an archeological excavation site as you may have seen in Western countries though - this is the Near East and everything is very authentic and amazing impressions and stunning views are waiting for you! Many reasons for us at PHIL'S WORLD TRAVEL to award the Baalbek Ruins with four stars! 🙂
PHIL'S WORLD TRAVELPHIL'S WORLD TRAVEL
120
Absolutely worth a visit, highly advise to get a guide right at the ticket gate, unless you want to walk around taking pictures without knowing what you’re taking photos of. So if you’re into history, it’s great. But note, the facility itself doesn’t offer tour guides. But there are a bunch of them waiting by the ticket booth, waiting for people. But they will try and hustle you, we agreed on a price of $20USD with the tour guide (Khalil), and he was great for the most part. His words when we first met him was “if you don’t like, you don’t pay, if you think $20 is too much, you pay what you think”. But then at the end he tried to convince us that the price he quoted us was the “per hour” price, we ended up giving him an extra $10 (we paid in LPD). After doing the tour, we asked around and it’s apparently a known technique. So make sure you agree on the price before doing the tour, and confirm it’s not per hour. Side note, keep track of the time so that they can’t hustle you. We were told after that the tour prices usually go for anywhere between $5-$10, not per hour. Having said that, totally worth doing the tour, you learn so much. But it does ruin your day.
Mina NourMina Nour
00
I have been longing to go here for years, and finally, a couple of weeks ago, was able to visit. This is a really spectacular place, and although about one and a half hours drive from Beirut, I would definitely recommend everyone to go. We hired a guide (who had 2 names, one of which was Ali). He was very knowledgeable and reasonably priced ($20 for the visit), spoke good English, and answered my many questions patiently! In addition, he was a wonderful photographer & took some amazing photos of us. Normally the visit would be at least 2 hours, but we didn’t have much time, so took about an hour and a half. Although we went on a Saturday, there was hardly anyone else there, and the weather was beautiful . There is a small museum inside the site, but this was closed. Even if you’re not keen on history, this is an incredibly beautiful place which will leave you dreaming. Flat shoes a must ! Go while you can !(3rd photo shows our guide !)
Alexandra MAlexandra M
20
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Address
2644+PCJ, Baalbek, Lebanon
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+961 8 370 645
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attractions: Baalbek Temple, Sayyida Khawla Shrine, Temple of Bacchus, Temple of Jupiter, Temple of Venus, restaurants:
