Located on a strategic hilltop and overlooking the valley, Majdel Anjar temple is one of the most impressive Roman sites that I’ve ever visited.
Continue reading “The forgotten temple of Majdel Anjar”The forgotten temple of Majdel Anjar
Category: temples
Back when Jupiter temple had 9 columns
I came across an old illustration of Baalbeck complex from 1757 and I noticed that Jupiter temple had 9 columns while only 6 stand still today! Doing some research, I discovered that they fell during the 1759 devastating earthquakes that hit the Near East.
Continue reading “Back when Jupiter temple had 9 columns”Top things to do in Central-Bekaa
Central-Bekaa is one of Lebanon’s most historically rich areas. It’s home for many touristic sites and is also known for its dairy and wine production industries. I came up with a list of things to do in Central-Bekaa but there are of course much more places to discover.
Continue reading “Top things to do in Central-Bekaa”The neglected “Qubbat Dûris”
Qubbat Dûris was built in 1243 during the Ayyubid era. Its eight columns were probably borrowed from the ruins of the nearby Baalbeck Complex and were randomly assembled, one being upside-down. A dome used to exist atop these columns.
Continue reading “The neglected “Qubbat Dûris””Top 10 things to do in North-Bekaa
North-Bekaa is one of the most captivating historical areas in Lebanon, it’s home for the popular temples of Baalbeck as well as much less known attractions and hidden gems. Here’s a list of the top 10 places to visit.
Continue reading “Top 10 things to do in North-Bekaa”The lonely column of Iaat
Standing alone for 1900 years, no one is sure why this Corinthian column exists. Some say it was built by St. Helena of Constantinople (mother of Emperor Constantine the Great) while others say it marks the site of a great ancient battle.
Continue reading “The lonely column of Iaat”A journey through Lebanon in 1851
Long before the declaration of Greater Lebanon, Dutch lieutenant and painter “Charles William Meredith Van de Velde” visited the Levant and wrote his amazing book “Narrative of a journey through Syria and Palestine in 1851 and 1852“. Along with this book, he made 100 lithographs of the main cities, monuments and places that he visited.
Continue reading “A journey through Lebanon in 1851”The Lebanese Pyramid
A 135-kilometer drive away from Beirut and 50 kilometers from Baalbeck, stands magnificently the underrated 2200-year-old Pyramid of Hermel.
Continue reading “The Lebanese Pyramid”The remote temple of Ain Herche
Ain Herche is a village situated in Rashaya District south of Bekaa. It’s located west of Mount Hermon at 1,000 meters above sea level and its name that derives from Aramaic means “House of Spirits” or “Place of Worship”.
Continue reading “The remote temple of Ain Herche”The abandoned stones of Baalbeck
Most of you have visited the city of Baalbeck but probably haven’t seen these 2000-year-old Roman monoliths.
The Stone of the Pregnant Woman, together with other nearby stone blocks, are among the largest monoliths ever quarried. The building blocks were presumably intended for Jupiter temple but they never made it out of the quarry.
Continue reading “The abandoned stones of Baalbeck”
PLUS961 