Jupiter                                          Bacchus

These photos are the property of Ram & Rom.

       Baalbek is named after the Phoenician god Baal for whom it is thought to have been a sanctuary -- Baal being one of the several names for the Syrian sun-god Hadad.  Under the Greeks it was known as Heliopolis (City of Sun).  The Roman God Jupiter, to whom a magnificent temple was built, was yet another name of the god Baal of Hadad. Baalbek is 86 Km from Beirut over the mountains, on the main highway to Damascus as far as Chtaura where the road to Baalbek bifurcates north.

         Baalbek is a small town outstanding for its acropolis considered among the most important Roman ruins, and largest in the world.

         In this enclave situated in the midst of gardens stand two temples, two courtyards, with propylaea and enclosure overbuilt in the Arab period.  Of the temple of Jupiter at the top of a monumental staircase only six majestic columns remain while the temple of Bacchus is in relatively good state and a fine example of what the other sanctuaries looked like. Outside the acropolis stands the temple of  Venus rare in its refinement and graceful architecture.

        During the summer months the acropolis comes to life with an international festival of music theater and dance that features top talent from all over the world along with Lebanese theater and folklore troupes (Baalbek International Festivals) . The flood-lit temples form a magnificent backdrop for performances which attract and audience just dazzling in its elegance and sophistication.