The Temple of Bacchus Roman God of Wine in Baalek. 1075756811 ancient, antique, antiquity, archeology, architecture, baalbek, bacchus, building, city, classical, columns, columns building, europe, famous, grandest roman temple, heliopolis, historic, history, landmark, landscape, mediterranean, old, roman, roman temple, ruins, sicily, sightseeing, stone, temple complex, temple of bacchus, temples, tourism, town, travel, world heritage site

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Baalbek Ruins

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Dominating the centre of modern Baalbek, this wonderful Roman temple complex is one of the Middle East's major archaeological highlights. The monumental Temple of Jupiter impresses by its sheer scale, while the adjacent Temple of Bacchus is astoundingly well preserved, with exquisite carved decoration. A museum in a tunnel under the complex has good information. The much smaller Temple of Venus is opposite the main entrance. In summer the ruins are the atmospheric venue for the Baalbeck International Festival.

Other excavations near the main complex include remnants of a Roman theatre and other structures.

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Nearby attractions

1. Temple of Venus

0.06 MILES

Opposite the entrance to the main ruins is the exquisite Temple of Venus, which preserves a section of a circular building with fluted columns. During the…

2. Temple of Jupiter

0.06 MILES

This temple was built on a monumental scale and is one of the largest Roman temples known. Dedicated to Jupiter Heliopolitanus, it was built from the 1st…

3. Temple of Bacchus

0.09 MILES

Baalbek's Temple of Bacchus is often described as the most beautifully decorated temple in the Roman world, and it's certainly one of the best preserved…

4. Gibran Museum

19.91 MILES

According to his wishes, the body of poet and artist Khalil Gibran (1883–1931), author of the much-loved The Prophet (1923), was interred in the chapel of…

5. Qadisha Grotto

19.96 MILES

Extending around 500m into the mountain, this small grotto contains some impressive limestone formations. Though not as spectacular as Jeita Grotto near…

6. Deir Mar Semaan

20.29 MILES

In the southern section of the valley, accessed via a path just over a kilometre west (ie further from Bcharré) from the main road down to the valley…

7. Deir Mar Elisha

20.41 MILES

Near where the winding Qadisha road hits the valley floor is one of the most important monasteries, Deir Mar Elisha, which can be accessed by car and now…

8. Chapel of Mar Marina

23.25 MILES

Just beyond Qannoubin is the Chapel of Mar Marina, a female saint who, disguised as a man, lived as a monk at Qannoubin for many years before being…