Temple_of_Baalat_Gebal
Temple of Baalat Gebal
Temple in Byblos
The Temple of Baalat Gebal (Arabic: معبد بعلة جبيل maebad baalat jbeil) was an important Bronze Age temple structure in the World Heritage Site of Byblos.[1] The temple was dedicated to Ba'alat Gebal, the goddess of the city of Byblos, known later to the Greeks as Atargatis.[2] Built in 2800 BCE,[3] it was the largest and most important sanctuary in ancient Byblos,[4] and is considered to be "one of the first monumental structures of the Syro-Palestinian region".[3] Two centuries after the construction of the Temple of Baalat Gebal, the Temple of the Obelisks was built approximately 100m to the east.[3]
The length and continuity of its history as an active temple is "remarkable" and "supports its centrality in the life of the city".[5]
An important group of Byblos figurines were found in the temple;[6][7][8] these figurines have become the "poster child" of the Lebanese Tourism Ministry.[9]