Baalbek (Heliopolis)

The great stone

Baalbek or Heliopolis (Ἡλιούπολις, "sun city"): town in the northern Bekaa valley, site of the largest sanctuary in the Roman world.

History

Photos

Quarry

There are two quarries near Baalbek, to the south and to the west of the ancient city. In the latter, which was used by the builders of the Temple of Jupiter, lies a monolith that, with a length of twenty meters and a height of 4½ meters, has a claim to be the largest stone ever cut out by men. It is locally known as the Umm Shumar, the "pregnant stone".

A satellite photo is here.

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