Some of the best preserved early Roman/Greek 'ruins' are not in Rome or Athens, but in Lebanon.
This temple above is in the Lebanese city of Baalbeck, and is dedicated to the God Bacchus. One might have imagined it being tucked behind the Coliseum in Rome, or atop the acropolis in Athens.
Hands up; how many of you have ever heard of Baalbeck? Not me!
No. Never. But now I'm one day older and smarter thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit smarter thanks to me as well.
DeleteJordan, Syria, Sicily, Turkey of course. The Greeks had outposts all over the med and middle East. Greek know all about their glorious past, but not others it seems.
ReplyDeleteThe greek ruins in Sicily and southern Italy are popular places for group visits....for those who have any money nowadays.
Yes, I've seen plenty of ancient Greek ruins around, but I didn't know about this beauty in Baalbeck.
DeleteI now know, but I think that by this afternoon I wont anymore.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like when I tried to learn Italian.
DeleteYes - I have visited Baalbeck as a tourist and very picturesque it was too!
ReplyDeleteI just knew that someone would have!
DeleteWell you learn something new everyday....and something old just goes out of your head!
ReplyDeleteIf I don't learn something every day, I consider it a day wasted.
DeleteHope it stays safe.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I was thinking, but didn't like to say it!
DeleteI have heard about it,nowdays it is the center of the Hizballa.
ReplyDeleteOh dear. They're not keen on ancient monuments, are they.
DeleteThe pillars are said to make good target and sniping practice grounds.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness some of the monuments are safe in the British museum.
DeleteNo, not heard of it either. Not heard of Baalbeck either. I think Beirut would be rather interesting place to visit, and not just to see bullet holes.
ReplyDeleteThere's a whole world out there that most of know nothing about.
DeleteI am also guilty of not knowing about it ...... you learn a great deal from blogging !!
ReplyDeleteLots of my family are coming at the weekend for a birthday get together ... I'm having to cook up a storm .... I could do with you here Cro !! XXXX
And I have a Christmas Dinner to cook for the following weekend. Not available I'm afraid (even though I'd love to).
DeleteBaal was also worshipped in Britain in pre-Roman times. There is a lane near hear called 'Belcombe Lane'. Same thing, He got around.
ReplyDeleteI'm learning a lot here today!
DeleteI do now! Very interesting as well as beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFabulous building isn't it.
DeleteNor me Cro - but beautiful wherever it is.
ReplyDeleteHas architecture improved much?
DeleteNor me.
ReplyDeleteThe club gets bigger by the minute.
DeleteI've heard of it but could not tell you anything detailed about it. What a beautiful ruin.
ReplyDeleteAlphie
Fabulous isn't it; almost complete.
DeleteThis is the first time I am hearing of Baalbeck. This makes me wonder what all is right in front of us, but we are not noticing.
ReplyDeleteMy impression exactly. There's so much out there.
Delete