Baalbek Roman Ruins — Attraction in Baalbek

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...

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 Cycle8] discovered in the 1920s and a separate serpent incantation.[9

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 but the name may refer to the Egyptians' association of Baʿal with their great god Ra.13 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...

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...