Trilithon de Baalbek, Baalbek Travel Guide

The Trilithon, also known as the Three Stones, is part of the podium of the Temple of Jupiter Baal in Baalbek. Each stone measures approximately 19 meters long, 4.2 meters high, and 3.6 meters thick, with a weight estimated between 750 and 800 tonnes. These stones are part of a supporting stone layer with stones weighing an estimated 350 tonnes.Located atop Tel Baalbek, the Trilithon forms the western aspect of the Roman platform. How these massive blocks were moved from the quarry to their current location remains a mystery. Some theories suggest the use of rollers and earthen ramps, while others propose more advanced, lost technologies.In addition to the Trilithon, the nearby quarry contains other notable monoliths, including the Stone of the Pregnant Woman, weighing approximately 1,000 tons, the Stone of the South, estimated at 1,242 tons, and the Forgotten Stone, which weighs around 1,650 tons. These stones, intended for the Jupiter Baal complex, were never moved from the quarry.The Baalbek temple complex, including the Trilithon, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its outstanding universal value and contribution to understanding ancient civilizations. The site showcases a blend of architectural styles and cultural influences, reflecting its history under Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Umayyad, and Crusader rule.