Baalbeck Things to Do

Despite being a majority Shiite town, Baalbek does have a Christian presence. There are a couple of noticeable churches (and a convent?), at least one of which is dedicated to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of Baalbek. Attached is a photo of one church I encountered in Baalbek. It is located close to the Acropolis, but I failed to note its name when I took the photo (Saint Barbara?). If you have the answer, then please drop me a line. Thank you!

Beyond the impressive archaeological ruins and few historic buildings, Baalbek seems to have little to offer the visitor (One exception is the Baalbek International Festival, which takes place in the summer). A number of beautiful late Ottoman buildings, such as those in the attached photo, seem to have survived, but otherwise, the city's architecture is rather bland. There are a few hotels for those who wish to stay overnight, and some local eateries that serve shawarma and other local dishes, but nothing to write home about (at least in my experience). Nevertheless, a stroll through parts of town is interesting to see a different part of Lebanon.

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A large paved Oval Forecourt preceded the Propylaea and the entrance to the Acropolis of Baalbek. About a third of the Forecourt lies under the modern road and buildings, but what is exposed is visible in an inaccessible archaeological area, located to the right of the ticket booth. This area also contains additional ruins, and beyond it lies the Omayyad Mosque which occupies the site of the Roman Forum.

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The remains of yet another colonnaded road can be found in the archaeological area just outside the Acropolis. This one is a corner and represents the intersection of two roads; the straight road that cuts through modern Baalbek and the continuation of the colonnade found south of the Acropolis (described earlier on this page). The corner colonnade has survived rather well (see attached photo), but the rest of it less so.

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A well preserved section of a double colonnade of Corinthian columns, dating from Roman times, lies to the south of the Acropolis of Baalbek. The beautiful colonnade is visible from the car park by the ruins, as well as from the southern end of the Acropolis. Likely, it was part of a road that led right up to the entrance of the Acropolis and joined the colonnade whose ruins one can still see in the area just outside the entrance. Beyond this double colonnade lies a large archaeological area of ancient foundations still under excavation. Unfortunately, both the colonnade and the archaeological area are closed to visitors. The attached distant photos had to suffice.

At the entrance of the site, you will find a poster showing a drawing of what the Acropolis of Baalbek might have looked like in its glory days. It was sketched by German archaeologists who first visited Baalbek at the end of the 19th century. The drawing gives an excellent perspective on the Acropolis, so make sure you study it before entering the site. However, keep in mind that the drawing seems to omit a few details, such as the Temple of the Muses and the Colonnaded Roads that existed just outside the Acropolis.

A sketch of the Temple of Venus, as it might have been in 250 AD, can be found just outside the archaeological area. It was drawn by German archaeologists in the 19th century and gives a good perspective - see attached photo.

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Just outside the Acropolis of Baalbek is a separate archaeological area. In the back of it rises the small, yet beautiful, Temple of Venus. Completed in the 3rd century AD, this interesting temple was constructed on a pentagonal podium and decorated with sea shells and pigeons, symbols of the goddess of love, beauty and fertility, Venus (equated with Astarte). Despite the clear homage to Venus, some archaeologists still believe this temple may have been dedicated to Fortuna, rather than Venus. During Byzantine times, the Temple was converted into a church dedicated to Saint Barbara, the patron saint of Baalbek, which helped to preserve the structure. Unfortunately, this little archaeological area with numerous ruins, is not accessible, though the temple could be admired from the road along the edge. The back side of the temple is stunning and worth the detour around the site (see attached photos). Note that also within this archeological area are the remains of an earlier Roman structure belonging to the Temple of the Muses, as well as a colonnaded street.