AtlasIslamica

Category | Petra and Nabataeans


Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)

Believed to have been the mausoleum of the Nabatean King Aretas IV in the 1st century CE, Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) is One of the seven wonders of the world, A UNESCO World Heritage Site & the most iconic place to visit...

Siq – Entrance to Al Khazneh

Main entrance to the old city of the Nabatean Empire - Petra, and sacred to the nabatean people in the ancient times, the access is through a very narrow gorge and is about 1.2 kilometers long

Qasr al Bint

One of the best preserved of the ancient structures surviving in Petra today, Qasr al Bint and was a key focal point on the colonnaded street, as well as a focus of religious worship

Al-Deir Monastery

Carved out of the rock in the mid-first century CE, Al-Deir Monastery probably originally served a complex religious purpose, and was possibly repurposed as a church in the Byzantine period

The Urn Tomb

Named for the large jar that crowns the monument's top, The Urn Tomb is part of a wider tomb complex carved into the rock and is well worth your time

Colonnade Street

Believed to be the center of various types of commercial activities and transactions during the third century BC, The Colonnade Street continued to be used throughout the Byzantine period up until sixth century

Nymphaeum

The fountain that once gave life to it busy city centre, little remains of Nymphaeum and is marked by a 450 year old Pistacchio tree

Palace Tomb

Also known as the Tomb of the Three Floors, is part of the group of Royal Tombs and is famous for its immense proportions

Jinn Blocks

Carved from sandstone & intricate carvings, Jinn Blocks are three stone monuments which derives their name from Arabic word for spirit

Obelisk Tomb

Located on the path leading to The Siq, these quite extraordinary carved tombs are your first indication of what lies ahead

The Great Temple

Qasr al-Bint to the West, and the Lower Market/Petra Pool Complex to the East, The “Great Temple” once occupied a prime spot in ancient Petra

Byzantine Church

One of the few places built rather than carved, Byzantine Church is notable for its lavish and well-preserved mosaic decoration

Lion Fountain

A big fountain shaped Lion carved into the rock, no evidence as to whether the lion can be assigned to a particular diety or a guardian figure or symbol of power

The Tomb of Unayshu

Dedicated to the wife of King Maliku II, Queen Shaqilat II, mother of King Rabel II, who was according to the sources, the last ruler of the Nabatean Kingdom

Street of Façades

Just past the Treasury, the path widens into an open section called the Street of Facades. Like a row of town homes, the street is lined with tall, impressive tombs and houses carved into the rock walls

Temple of Winged Lions

Dedicated to the supreme false goddess figure of the Nabateans whose identity is not known, It was ultimately destroyed in the massive earthquake of 363 CE

Little Petra (Siq al-Barid)

Probably a suburb of the larger city of Petra, Little Petra was perhaps where its more successful merchants lived, and entertained their visiting counterparts


Other Sites of Nabateans in Jordan

Amman Citadel

Great location with amazing views, In Amman Citadel you will find a church, a mosque and of course the famous Roman temple of Hercules. Enjoy walking though the ruins and taking numerous pictures