Temples of BaalbekA UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple complex found at
Baalbek - a small town in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, just 56 miles
(90km) from Beirut - is regarded as the world's finest surviving
example of Imperial Roman architecture. An ancient area, rich in
history - it was known as Heliopolis ('City of the Sun') during the
Hellenistic Period - the towering, intricately-carved monuments of
Baalbek continue to amaze and delight visitors to the region. Even
for non-history buffs, a visit to the acropolis at Baalbek is
deeply fascinating - representing a confluence of
exquisitely-preserved Greco-Roman architecture built over the
course of two centuries. Consisting of 24 monoliths, numerous
religious structures, and the grand Temple of Jupiter (surrounded
by 20-metre-tall columns), the temples of Baalbek are an essential
inclusion in any Lebanese travel itinerary. Moreover, the town of
Baalbek - home to only 72,000 permanent residents - is a wonderful
place to stop over and rest for a few da |
