The altar
On the summit.
Michael Gunther — CC BY-SA 3.0 · filmrausch.com — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia — CC BY 2.0 · Dosseman — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jorge Láscar from Australia — CC BY 2.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jorge Láscar from Australia — CC BY 2.0
A Nabataean ritual platform on the summit of Jabal al-Madhbah above central Petra, cut into the rock with an altar, steps and a basin, where offerings, libations and incense burning took place. The trail starts near the theatre and climbs about 800 rock-cut steps, passing two obelisks carved out of the mountain itself. At the top a wide platform looks out over the whole of Petra. From up here you see the city centre, the Royal Tombs and the surrounding mountains, and on the horizon Jabal Haroun, crowned by the white shrine linked to the Prophet Aaron, peace be upon him. You can come down the other side through Wadi Farasa, past less-visited monuments such as the Roman Soldier Tomb and the dining hall facing it, and rejoin the main street. Go early in the morning or before sunset.
On the summit.
Carved from rock.
The way down.
Jabal al-Madhbah, Petra
Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)Petra's most famous monument and its most elaborate rock-cut tomb, carved by the6 minutes walk4.9
Royal Tombs of PetraA row of huge façades carved into the flank of Jabal al-Khubtha, looking over th9 minutes walk4.7
PetraThe Nabataean capital carved into rose sandstone in southern Jordan, and one of 10 minutes walk4.9
The SiqThe rock passage into the Nabataean city of Petra, winding about 1.2 km between 11 minutes walk4.9Near the theatre in central Petra; it climbs about 800 steps to the summit, and you can descend through Wadi Farasa on the other side.