The largest and best preserved Roman temples ever built, can be found in Baalbeck, Lebanan. These temples, though deterioarated by war, theft, earthquakes, and restructuring or rebuilding have numerous layers of historical importance dating back at least to the end of the thrid millennium B.C. With the changes in political powers, the acropolis morphed from roman temples arenas to christian basilica to muslim fortress and so on. You want action grandeur, it was here... corinthian columns 22 meters high, towers, more granite columns, interior stairways, sacrificial altars, washing pools, relief carvings, 32 column Egyptian granite colonnade, medieval battlement remains, sanctuaries, podiums, courtyards, podiums of bulls and lions' heads, the "Trilithon" of each stone weighing 800 tons, wine opium use indicated by grape and poppy carvings, monumental gates atop 5 meter tall podiums in the 'small temple' alone, the Temple of Venus, and so much more...

This is probably my favorite Roman ruin. The city is extensive and you can spend a whole day wandering around. During the summer (if the politically volatile situation allows) they perform classical music or even dance on the steps leading up to the main temple. Attending a performance here is truly unforgettable experience. Regrettably, politics collide with good sense and it is not always easy (or safe) visiting here. Check with the state department before packing your bags and then check again with the embassy in Beirut.

This is the most amazing site I've ever visited. The ancient roman ruins are so wonderful to see. It is amazing how much they built and how large of a city it was in its time! This is an absolute MUST SEE!

Awesome ruins of a major Roman city. A must-see but the unstable political situation makes getting there dicey.