Maqam el Rab Temple, in Beit Jaalouk, Menjez is surrounded with a temenos or sacred enclosure is oriented towards the southeast. It is constructed with basalt stones quarried locally from the region. The structure includes a portico with two antae, a cella and a staircase leading to the adytum or Holy of Holies.
The portico was preceded by rows of six columns. its possible that the initial plans included a colonnade surrounding the temple, two small doors situated on both sides of the main entrance lead to stairs built in two towers allowing the access to the roof.
Like other temples of the Bekaa, the adytum included a baldachin or canopy sheltering the statue of the cult. Under the adytum, an arched crypt held the objects dedicated to the cult. This temple probably dates to the 1st century AD and it has been partially restored by the Directorate General of Antiquities.
Maqam el Rab Temple is the only Roman temple in Lebanon built with basalt stones.
Some of the stone objects found in the temple hold inscriptions written in Greek, one of them engraved on the base of statue, was made in 262 A.D. by the priest named Drusus in honor of the wheel, is carved under the name on the stone base.
Picture above: A statue based measuring 110×67 cm dedicated in 262 A.D by the priest Drusus to Nemesis who was considered the mistress of Cosmic destiny.
During Byzantine times, there may have been plans to transform the temple into a church. Scattered remains of an apse lie inside the portico of the temple.
The church construction may have caused the disappearance of two of the portico columns. The absence of any evidence of doors makes it difficult to know how one would have entered the church. Other structures surround the temple, but their plans, functions and dates are unknown.
How to get there: the temple is in the village of Menjez Akkar. You can reach Menjez by taking the highway road from Tripoli to Abdeh and then you take the coastal road that take you to Aboudieh Lebanese border. When you reach Aboudyeh,take the newly built road to your right to Menjez.
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