Argoob Jmuay`an Trail

From the visitor center, you have the option to travel either by car or bus to reach the Umm Sayhun gate. Afterward, you proceed on foot along the main road for a short distance. Upon reaching the first valley, you veer left from the main road to begin following the Argoob Jumay’an Trail. The first half of this trail is easy, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful landscape of the area and the sandstone mountain views around you. During your journey, you will also encounter various plant species, such as the Sea Squill and Haloxylon ammodendron, as well as bird and lizard species like the Petra Rock lizard and the Blue Sinai Agama lizard. While walking and looking to your right side in the opposite lower direction, you will clearly see the Turkmaniyah Tomb in Wadi Abu Olliqa in the distance. This tomb has the longest Nabataean inscription in Petra. In contrast, when you look to your left, you will see Moghar Al Nassara necropolis beyond the valley.

Trail Details

Starting Point: Umm Sayhun Gate/Argoob Jumay`an

Endpoint: Petra/The Petra Church

Category: Heritage/Environmental/Geological

Distance: 1.9 Km/2493 Steps

Calories Burn: 100 Calories

Duration: 0.45 - 1.00 Hours/Non-stop

Grade: Easy

Tour: One-way

Petra During the Byzantine Period  

Petra flourished as an active Christian city during the Byzantine period, though some pagans still existed. Petra served as a significant bishopric Centre, and bishops from Petra participated in the various church councils. Evidence of the Nabataeans' conversion to Christianity is apparent in Petra through the repurposing of former pagan sites into churches. For instance, in AD 446, the Urn Tomb was converted into a cathedral by Bishop Jason, as evidenced by an inscription found on one of its walls. Christianity's influence in Petra grew further with the construction of new churches. In the 6th century, a sizable basilica adorned with mosaic floors was erected and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Adjacent to this structure, the 'Blue Chapel' and the 'Ridge Church' were also built. Additionally, a substantial monastery was established and dedicated to Aaron's tomb on the heights of Jebel Haroun, southwest of Petra, as indicated in burnt papyri discovered in the basilica church.

al Najr Quarry at Umm Sayhun   

After passing through Umm Sahyun Gate and looking towards the west, you will encounter one of the Nabataean quarries, commonly known as Najr Quarry. It is situated approximately 200 meters west of the main road and faces south. The top of the quarry spans about one thousand square meters, where one can still observe the un extracted blocks and their trenches. The front of the quarry measures about 120 meters in length and 28 meters in height, boasting high-quality stone that was likely utilized in the construction of major buildings. Within many quarries, pairs of slots or footholds (resembling ladders) are often visible. These features, designed to aid Workers descending and ascending to the quarrying area, are prominently found at Al-Najr Quarry. Geologically, most of the quarries in Petra, including Al-Najr quarry, are situated within the upper layers of the Umm Ishrin sandstone formation, also known as honeycomb sandstone. This sandstone is characterized by its white and mauve-red color, coarse to medium grain size, and was commonly used by the ancient inhabitants of Petra for constructing their buildings. It is likely that a significant amount of fine sand was piled in front of the quarries to facilitate the safe dropping of extracted blocks from the quarry's top without causing damage. The sand extracted from the quarry was dumped in the lower southwestern area of it, later used as a graveyard for the inhabitants of Petra.

The Round Tower (Conway Tower) 

The round tower, also known as the Conway tower, was constructed as a defensive structure within Petra's north city fortifications. It derived its name from the archaeologist who began excavations in 1929. It is located in a highly strategic area overseeing all directions, including the city center and surrounding areas. Built entirely from large, uncut blocks of sturdy limestone, it boasts an average diameter of over 24 meters. Throughout the Nabataean, Roman, and Byzantine periods, Petra's northern and southern boundaries were fortified with defensive walls, while its eastern and western sides were naturally protected by mountains such as el Habis and el Khubtha.

The City Walls  

Petra is protected to the east and west by the mountains, including el Habis to the west, and el Khubtha to the east. Throughout the Nabataean, Roman, and Byzantine periods, Petra's northern and southern boundaries were fortified with defensive walls. The round tower was known as the Conway tower, named after the archaeologist who commenced the excavations in 1929. It was built for a defensive purpose as part of the north’s fortifications. It is located in a high area overseeing all directions, including the city center and surrounding areas. It has an average diameter of more than 24 m and is constructed entirely of large, unhewn blocks of hard limestone.

The Ridge Church   

Situated atop Jumay'an Hill, overlooking Petra's city center, the Ridge Church was built during the late 4th or early 5th century, utilizing Nabatean and Roman materials. Considered the first church established in Petra, the Ridge Church Complex includes a small building with a fountain. The church itself consists of two wings flanking the nave, each separated by five columns. A commemorative Greek inscription, dating to the late 4th or early 5th century, found within the structure suggests that the fountain was dedicated to a distinguished individual with a military background.

Blue Chapel  

The Blue Chapel is believed to have been built slightly later, in the mid-5th century, around the same time as the Petra Church. It was named for the four blue Egyptian granite columns that were presumably moved there from a nearby Nabataean monument. Within the chapel lies a base for a bishop’s throne in the apse, a marble pulpit, and marble chancel posts and screens. The chapel could have served as a pilgrimage hostel or a residence for the church.

The Petra Church   

It is a tripartite basilica, measuring approximately 26 m E-W by 15 m N-S, with three inscribed apses and three corresponding entrances. It was likely constructed in the latter half of the fifth century AD. The church's mosaic floor, preserved to this day, features stunning illustrations. Many of these images are housed within circular medallions and depict a variety of subjects, including animals, birds, humans, vegetation, vessels, and personifications of the four seasons, the ocean, earth, and wisdom. In 1993, a significant discovery was made within the church—a cache of 140 carbonized papyrus scrolls unearthed in a room on the northeast side. Dating back to the 6th century, these scrolls reveal the church's dedication to the Virgin Mary and cover various topics such as real estate transactions, disputes, contracts, marriages, dowries, and inheritance matters. Despite being primarily written in Greek, the scrolls also contain Nabataean and Arabic terms, providing insights into Petra's history and Christian life in the region during the 6th century.