Petra Main Trail

This trail, the most visited in Petra, offers an accessible and leisurely journey through the ancient city. Starting at the Visitor Center and winding its way to Qasr al-Bint, it begins by taking you past some fascinating monuments carved out of the rock, such as the Djinn block tombs, the Obelisk Tomb, and an ancient dam. These lead you into the Siq, a natural, narrow gorge that is more than a kilometer long, and you will also enjoy the beautiful sandstone rock formations around you. It serves as the main entrance into Petra and is certainly the most dramatic way in. The Siq meanders gently towards the ancient city, offering a glimpse of Petra's ingenious water hydraulic engineering and distribution system alongside the stunning rock formations. It opens onto a

spectacular view of the Treasury (Al Khazna), an intricate façade that first greets the visitor. The trail then takes you past many rock-cut monuments, such as a street of facades, the Theatre, and a colonnaded street, and ends at Qasr al-Bint, where you can have your lunch in one of the two restaurants nearby and see the museums located there.

Trail Details

Starting Point: Wadi Musa/Petra Visitor Center

Endpoint: Petra/Qasr al Bint

Category: Heritage/Environmental/Geological

Distance: 3.9 Km/5118 Steps

Calories Burn: 205 Calories

Duration: 1.30 - 1.45 Hours/Non-stop

Grade: Easy

Tour: One-way

Djinn Block Tombs 

The so-called Djinn Block Tombs at Petra are unique in their design and purpose, standing out among the other rock-cut structures in the area. These monuments hold significant cultural importance in Nabataean history, and their exact role continues to be a subject of research and debate. About 400 meters from the visitor center, after passing through the gate towards Petra, you walk along a wide valley called 'Bab Al Siq', where you can see remarkably unusual burial sites, including some of Petra's oldest. Four such block monuments exist in the Bab Al Siq area of Petra, carved out of the rocks on all four sides. The first monuments you encounter are three massive Djinn blocks, which are square monuments carved out of the rock. Two monuments have an interior burial chamber; a third has a grave on its top. Recent studies and excavations suggest that these may possibly be the earliest group of monumental tombs at Petra, likely dating from the 2nd century B.C.

The name 'djinn' is an Arabic term referring to wicked spirits, though there is no link between the name and the Nabataean sculptures. These monuments are also referred to as 'god blocks' because Nabataean gods were represented as stone blocks.

Obelisk Tomb and Bab el-Siq Triclinium

Among Petra's marvels are the Obelisk Tomb and Bab el-Siq Triclinium, two remarkable rock-cut structures that offer insights into the Nabataean culture and its blend of indigenous traditions with external influences. The Obelisk Tomb and Bab el-Siq Triclinium, two distinct rock-cut structures carved into the sandstone cliffs, are positioned one above the other. The upper monument, known as the "Obelisk Tomb," features four elongated pyramids symbolizing Nefesh, Nabataean symbols representing the deceased, with a central niche behind it holding a worn sculpture of a cloaked male figure, representing the tomb's patriarch, overseeing five burial niches beneath.

Below the tomb, a gabled façade indicates the location of a triclinium, a dining hall where funerary banquets were held in honor of gods or ancestors. Across from the triclinium, an ancient inscription in Nabataean and Greek commemorates a burial monument erected by 'Abdmanku, son of Akayus, son of Shullay, for himself and for his children and their heirs during the time of Maliku (AD 40–70). This reflects Petra's cosmopolitan nature, influenced by Hellenic culture.

Aslah Triclinium

This triclinium faces the entrance to the Siq and is located on the original path that led into Petra. There are 18 votive niches and a basin on its south-western wall. The majority are empty because, on particular occasions, the Nabataeans would place portable betyls inside these niches. The Nabataeans used tricliniums, which were often found close to tombs, as spiritual places where ritual feasts were celebrated. Inside the Aslah Triclinium, stone benches have been carved along three sides, and there is a recess in the back wall. A Nabataean inscription above the recess says, "These rooms and cisterns were built by Aslah, son of Aslah, for Dushara, the god of Manbatu, and for the life of Obodat, King of the Nabataeans, son of Aretas.The inscription dedicates the complex to Dushara in the first year of the reign of King Obodas I (96/95 BC); it is the oldest inscription to be found in Petra to date, which is why this triclinium is so significant.

Al Mudhlim Tunnel and Bab as Siq Dam

When the Nabataeans first settled in Petra and started building houses, they found that they needed to protect themselves from the flash floods in the area. They also needed a year-round supply of water for their own use. Therefore, to control floodwaters, the Nabateans built a dam at the entrance of the Siq and cut a tunnel in the rock to divert flood waters away from the Siq. The rock-cut tunnel is 88 meters long, and 12.8 meters high and redirects water through Wadi Mudhlim to reservoirs, water cisterns, and dams inside and outside Petra. As a consequence of the cessation of maintenance and cleaning operations, the dam at the Siq entrance has gradually deteriorated over time, resulting in floodwaters entering through the Siq instead of being diverted through the tunnel of Wadi Al-Mudhlim. The dam you see today was constructed in 1964 over the original Nabataean one, which was larger, to prevent a recurrence of a tragic flash flood that had earlier swept through the Siq. Towards the end of Wadi Mudhlim, there are niches that probably held baetyls, or god blocks, to protect the water, which was sacred to the Nabataeans.

The Siq

The Siq is a natural sandstone gorge that gently winds towards the ancient city of Petra for just over 1.2 km through a cleft in the sandstone massif, which in some places is only 3 m wide, until it opens on to the magnificent Treasury. A triumphal arch once spanned the entrance to the Siq, but this collapsed in 1895. As you walk through, notice two water channels that run along each side; the one on the north side of the path is a clay pipeline used to transport fresh drinking water from some springs in Wadi Musa to the city of Petra. Meanwhile, on the southern side, a stone covered water channel was carved into the rock face. Parts of the original paved road can be seen along the Siq. In its day, Petra was a bustling city that witnessed a constant procession of travelers, visitors, and pilgrims, who passed along the same path. Keep your eyes open for the niches and god blocks (baetyls) carved throughout the Siq, which were there to protect those entering and leaving the city.

Al Khazna (The Treasury)

The breathtaking monument of Al-Khazna, commonly known as the Treasury, is an awe-inspiring monument carved by the Nabataeans. Standing at an impressive height of 39.5 meters, Al-Khazna is a testament to the Nabataean civilization's architectural prowess. Carved meticulously from a single block, its intricate design, and imposing presence captivate visitors from around the world. While local legends speak of hidden treasures within the urn by the Fira'un of Eygpt atop the monument, historical evidence suggests that Al-Khazna served as a mausoleum, possibly for King Aretas IV, who ruled from 9 BC to 40 AD. The facade of the Treasury is adorned with captivating Hellenistic influences, featuring Corinthian capitals, winged griffins, and depictions of the goddess Isis and Amazons, reflecting the Nabataean culture's rich symbolism. In 2003, archaeologists from the Jordan Department of Antiquities made a remarkable discovery beneath Al-Khazna, uncovering three Nabataean royal tombs dating back to the end of the first century BC. This significant find sheds light on the historical significance and purpose of this iconic monument.

The Outer Siq Area

The journey from Al-Khazna to the heart of Petra begins with the Outer Siq, where the impressive architectural skills of the Nabataeans are showcased through intricate tomb designs. This area features a row of monumental Nabataean tombs carved into the southern cliff face, including tombs 67, 68, 69, and 70. Tomb 67 is particularly noteworthy for its upper funeral chamber, earning it the nickname "thief tomb" due to a local Bedouin legend of a thief seeking refuge there. Adjacent to Tomb 67 stands Tomb 70, towering over 15 meters high and carved out on three sides, adorned with bricked-up crenellations. Its prominent location suggests its potential significance. Opposite Tomb 70, six tombs are situated, with Tomb 825 standing out as the most notable. Tomb 825 is topped by half-crow steps and an Egyptian cavetto, containing seventeen graves and a vaulted recess. Funerary stelae within bear Nabataean names such as "Nefesh Zayd Qawmw bin Yaqum" and "Yaqum bin Zayd Qawmw."

The Theater

The monumental theater features a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape, including the stunning rock-cut facades all around. It was carved into the side of the mountain at the foot of the High Place of Sacrifice during the reign of King Aretas IV (4 BC–AD27). The theater is oriented towards the east and comprises a semicircular seating area called the cavea, which is divided into three sections by walkways. It features around forty-five rows of seats, accessible via seven staircases radiating outward from the center, and can accommodate 4000 spectators. It also featured a stage wall, added by the Romans, which shielded the orchestra and served as a theatrical backdrop. Thousands of people used to gather here to attend cultic or cultural performances. After the Roman annexation in 106 AD, the theater was enlarged, slicing through some older tombs, the remains of which can be seen on the smoothed rock face in the back. The back wall of the stage was rebuilt by the Romans.

The Nymphaeum

The Nymphaeum, a semi-circular public fountain, sits near the junction of Wadi Musa and Wadi al-Mataha. Six Nabataean columns adorned its facade, and it received water from a tank located on the opposite side of the valley. This structure, named after the nymphs of classical mythology, served as a public drinking fountain in Petra. The Nymphaeum also served as a gathering place for locals and travelers to socialize and cool off from the desert heat. Its intricate design and strategic location made it a prominent feature in the ancient city of Petra. Although only the lowest levels of its masonry remain, it was once a lively meeting place for the city's populace. Elevated upon a stepped podium, it featured a freestanding wall with porticos and a large central exedra containing the fountain, whose waters flowed into a shallow pool below. Additionally, the water tunnel that diverted water into the city from the Siq passed behind this nymphaeum. The structure is shaded by a 450-year-old wild pistachio tree, adding to its charm and historical ambiance.

Colonnaded Street

Archaeological excavations conducted by the Department of Antiquities and the British School on Colonnaded Street in the late 1950s and early 1960s proved that it was built by the Romans in the second century AD to replace an earlier Nabataean street that followed the winding course of the Wadi Musa, Petra's main river. Currently, the visible portion of Colonnaded Street runs from the Nymphaeum to Temenos Gate. Unfortunately, flash floods badly ruined much of it, leaving only a short stretch of original paving stones. The street probably hosted markets that traded goods such as frankincense and myrrh from southern Arabia and east Africa, as well as semi-precious stones, textiles, and spices from India. The Romans straightened, narrowed, and paved the road, ornamenting it with a double row of columns and constructing a stretch of commercial shops on its south side. Archaeological investigation has shown that this thoroughfare was badly damaged by the devastating earthquake of 363 AD, which toppled its colonnades and commercial buildings. The nine columns presently standing have been re-erected from ancient column drums littering the street.

The Temenos Gate

The Temenos Gate, located at the western end of Colonnaded Street, was most likely built during Emperor Trajan's rule in the second century A.D. as a ceremonial entrance to the sacred precinct of the Qasr al-Bint Temple. It is typically Roman in plan and conception, and may have replaced an earlier Nabataean gate. The gateway complex featured three entrances: a large central bay and two smaller lateral ones. Its main east face was embellished with four freestanding projecting columns, and bore carved paneled decoration featuring busts of deities alternating with vegetation. The gate was built after the road had been paved. The gate led to the holy area around the temple, or ‘temenos, as it is called. Worshippers would be in the temenos area around the altar, which is in front of the temple.

The ‘Great Temple’ Complex

The 'Great Temple' complex, which covers 7560 square meters, is by far Petra's largest building. It is accessed via a monumental entryway, or propylaeum, and has two successive open-air sections at varying elevations. The lower precinct consisted of a large paved courtyard flanked on each side by triple colonnades. Each housed 60 columns made of carved drums, with imported limestone capitals adorned with carved elephant heads, exotic symbols of power. A number have been partially re-erected. Excavations have revealed that the upper precinct, accessed by a pair of monumental stairways, featured a small open-air theater with semi-circular tiered seating. Its small size and layout suggest that it may have been designed as a council chamber or a judicial assembly hall. The presence of this theater and the adjoining columned courtyard suggests that the building served primarily as a civic complex under the patronage of the Nabataean royal house. The structure’s downtown location outside the Qasr al-Bint temple precinct points strongly to its secular function, although religious activities may also have taken place in this grand complex. The Great Temple Complex also includes a subterranean drainage system, baths discovered in the temple's west, and a workshop for producing plaster molds was discovered at the south end.

Qasr al Bint Temple Complex

Qasr al-Bint, also known as the Palace of the Pharaoh's Daughter, stands as Petra's oldest and most esteemed temple complex. Legend suggests a pharaoh hid his treasure in Petra's Treasury urn, promising his daughter's hand in marriage to the engineer who could supply water to the palace. The temple, almost square and reaching 23 meters high, showcases Hellenistic architecture. It served as Petra's main temple, with priests entering while worshippers remained outside for rituals. Accessible via marble steps, its northern facade boasts four Corinthian columns. Inside, a rear sanctuary features three compartments, possibly dedicated to Dushara, the main Nabataean god. Dating back to the first half of the 1st century AD, the temple may have been a pilgrimage site. Numerous water channels near the site support the legend's claim. Qasr al-Bint remains a testament to Petra's rich history and religious significance, drawing visitors to marvel at its architectural grandeur and cultural heritage.