Temples of Baalbek, Roman archaeological site in Beqaa Valley, Lebanon
The temples of Baalbek form a sprawling ensemble of Roman sanctuaries in the Beqaa Valley, recognizable by their colossal columns and chiseled facades. The structures extend across several terraces with preserved courtyards, porticos, and the remains of three major temples.
Phoenician settlers began a cult for Baal here before Roman troops transformed the area into a colony after 64 BCE. Several emperors financed the expansion of the temples over two centuries through the third century.
The complex carries the Greek name Heliopolis, reflected in the sun motifs carved into reliefs and ornamental friezes. Visitors can see traces of Roman offering ceremonies at the preserved altars and in the niches carved into temple walls.
The site is easiest to visit in the morning before midday heat becomes intense in the valley. Sturdy footwear helps when walking over uneven stone pavement and steps.
Three stones in the foundation each weigh over 800 tons and rank among the heaviest building components ever moved in antiquity. No one knows exactly how the builders transported and positioned these blocks.
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