The Ultimate Wadi musa (Jordan) Adventure: 19 Exciting archaeological sites to Explore
Unveil the top 19 must-visit archaeological sites in Wadi musa (Jordan) with our curated list. Immerse yourself in 19 best archaeological sites or discover hidden treasures with 19 must-visit archaeological sites. Don’t miss 19 top-rated archaeological sites to experience Wadi musa (Jordan) ‘s best.
Information about Wadi musa (Jordan)
Wadi Musa is one of the Jordanian cities that has gained wide international fame due to the majestic landmarks in it, as it lies within its borders Petra, which is considered one of the seven wonders of the world, and it is an area known for its wonderful nature and its architectural miracles that date back to the sixth century BC. The municipality of Wadi Musa has established dozens of hotels and resorts to rehabilitate them for the huge crowds of tourists that come to them every year. Visitors will also find many antique shops and a wonderful museum that tells the history of the city and its rich and long history.
A list of the best Archaeological sites in Wadi musa
Get ready to explore the ultimate archaeological sites destinations in Wadi musa (Jordan) with our carefully crafted list of top-rated spots. We’ve done the research for you, scouring the reviews of countless visitors to bring you the most unforgettable experiences. Let us be your guide.
1- Ad Deir
Ad Deir – The monastery is a huge building carved into the sand rock in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. This distinctive landmark was built in the middle of the first century AD. It is arguably one of the most famous monuments in Petra. It is located high in the hills northwest of the city center. The height of the monastery is 40.2 meters, and it is carved deep into the mountain, while the height of its main door is 8 meters. The main inner chamber is huge, 11.5 meters high, and it is lit only by lighting that comes through the entrance.
Place address: Ad-Deir, Jordan
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2- Al-Siq
Al-Siq – The Siq is a narrow valley that passes through solid rocks along two kilometers to Petra, and its narrow vertical walls reach a height of about two hundred meters. To the hidden city of Petra, full of wonders dotted with historical sites of spiritual significance. Besides, on both sides of the entrance you can see some charming remains of ancient mihrabs. Walking through this corridor of breathtaking beauty is one of the best adventures and activities that must be experienced while touring Petra.
Place address: Al-Siq, Jordan
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3- Al-Khazneh
Al-Khazneh – The Treasury, with its beautiful façade carved into the sandstone, is undoubtedly the most important monument in Petra, and certainly one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. It is a 39-meter-high mausoleum of the Nabataean king Aretas III, carved deep into the sandstone. Alhambra, and dates back to the first century BC, and the treasury derives its name from the legend that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure here while he was chasing the Israelites.
Place address: The Treasury, Jordan
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4- Tomb of Aaron
Tomb of Aaron – The shrine of Harun is one of the holiest sites in Petra, which dates back to the Mamluk period. It is the tomb in which the Prophet Harun, brother of the Prophet Musa, was buried. It is located on top of Mount Harun, which is the highest peak in the region, with a height of 1350 meters above sea level. This area has long been a place of pilgrimage for the locals, and is well worth a trip if you have an extra day in Petra, as good physical fitness is required to withstand the high altitude there.
Place address: Tomb of Prophet Aaron, Jordan
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5- Nabatean Theatre
Nabatean Theatre – This theater is considered the first Nabataean theater that was established in the first century AD, which is about 600 meters from the center of Petra. The Nabataean amphitheater, or the Petra Theater, which was carved into the side of the mountain at the foot of the High Palace of Sacrifice, consists of three rows of seats separated by corridors. It also includes seven stairs leading to the hall and can accommodate 4,000 spectators. This amphitheater was carved into the sandstone during the reign of King Aretas IV in the period between the fourth year BC and the twenty-seventh year AD, and the Romans rebuilt its back wall.
Place address: Nabatean theatre, Jordan
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6- Royal tombs
Royal tombs – During any trip to Petra, the royal tombs of the Nabataeans, which include four huge structures carved into the rock at the foot of the mountain, cannot be missed. To reach them, visitors must climb a staircase leading to the famous Tomb of Oren, which was used as a place of worship during the Byzantine Empire, and next to it there is a small tomb It is known as the Silk Tomb, and this name comes from the color of the sandstone of the tomb, and then comes the Palace Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the Sesto Fiorentino Tomb.
Place address: Royal tombs, Wadi Musa, Jordan
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7- Qasr AlBint
Qasr AlBint – Qasr al-Bint or the Temple of Pharaoh’s Daughter is a religious temple in the Nabataean city of Petra, located opposite Wadi Musa and to the northwest of the Great Temple and to the southwest of the Temple of the Winged Lions. This landmark is considered one of the largest monumental buildings in Petra, and it has been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it has been preserved as it is without any renovation or restoration, and although visitors cannot enter the temple, it is still worth a visit.
Place address: Temple of Dushares, Jordan
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8- Byzantine Church
Byzantine Church – The Byzantine Church, which is also called the Church of Petra, is a wonderful example of ancient architecture in Petra in the Byzantine period. It is located on high ground in the city center north of the colonnaded street. It is a basilica consisting of three lanes, with three lanes on the eastern end and three gates. Western, and the materials used in building the church, including windows, doors, and relief inscriptions, date back to the Nabataean and Roman eras. The Byzantine church is the point of discovery of 150 papyri that have provided scholars with valuable information about life both in Byzantine Petra and in the surrounding countryside.
Place address: Byzantine Church – Petra, Wadi Musa, Jordan
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9- Obelisk tomb
Obelisk tomb – Do not miss visiting the tombs of the obelisks in Petra, where the unique monuments are. The tomb of the obelisk was built in the first century BC in Petra, and it is an elaborate tomb of two floors carved into solid rock and its facade is an elaborate mixture of Egyptian, Greek, Indian and Nabataean architectural styles. It is worth noting that the Obelisk Tomb is surmounted by four obelisks, and thus acquired this name.
Place address: Jordan
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10- Great Temple
Great Temple – The Great Temple in Petra is a huge archaeological complex located south of Colonnade Street in Petra. It covers an area of about 7,560 square meters. The complex was probably completed in the early first century AD, under the rule of the Nabatean king Aretas IV, as indicated by the architectural and sculptural details of him. This temple is one of the few monuments that were built instead of being carved in the rock, and it constitutes an important attraction in the city of Petra, which indicates the interest of the Jordanian Nabataeans in the art of architecture on a large scale and their amazing ingenuity that made this landmark standing to this day.
Place address: Great Temple, Wadi Musa, Jordan
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11- Mousa’s Spring
Mousa’s Spring – This archaeological site is considered one of two possible sites in Jordan for the site where Moses supposedly struck the rock with his group to flow water to the thirsty Israelites, and the other site is likely located near Mount Nebo. This spring still flows, but it is now housed in a simple modern three-domed building that is occasionally visited by local pilgrims. The site is located near the Kings Way Hotel, at the main intersection in Wadi Musa from the north.
Place address: Mousa’s Spring, Wadi Musa, Jordan
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12- Little Petra
Little Petra – One of the Nabataean archaeological sites north of Petra. It is a building carved into the rock. This landmark is characterized by the great similarity between it and the main Petra. There are a number of landmarks around it that indicate the settlement of the Arabs in the region and the beginning of their transformation from a nomadic society to an economic agricultural village society. This site was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and it is an archaeological place less crowded with tourists and a very quiet place.
Place address: Wadi Musa, البيضا، Jordan
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13- Lion Triclinium
Lion Triclinium – The Lion’s Tricleneum was built in the first century BC. It was built to be a place for clan banquets to honor the ancestors and the gods. The place was called Lion Tricleneum due to the presence of two huge lions carved into the rock on both sides of the gate. This landmark is considered one of the most beautiful and famous monuments in Petra, so do not miss the opportunity to visit it with your friends and family.
Place address: Petra District، Jordan
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14- Winged Lion Temple
Winged Lion Temple – The Temple of the Winged Lions was built on a promontory overlooking the center of the city. It is a majestic sacred complex that includes a huge staircase, a large entrance, surrounded by giant columns, and an inner room with a raised platform amidst a group of columns decorated with statues of “winged lions”, hence the name. The walls and columns of the inner temple are painted with bright colors and cheerful designs, while the small niches surrounding the platform bear idols symbolizing the Nabataean goddess.
Place address: Winged Lion Temple, Jordan
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15- Petra World Heritage Site
Petra World Heritage Site – The city of Petra, which is the capital of the ancient Nabataean people, is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was recently announced as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This Nabataean Coptic city, which lies between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, and which has been inhabited since prehistoric times, is an important crossroads between the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt and Syria. These enchanting rock-cut ruins, surrounded by mountains full of hidden passages, blend ancient Eastern traditions with Hellenistic architecture. It is truly a magical site that you cannot miss in Jordan.
Place address: Petra, Jordan
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16- Broken Pediment Tomb
Broken Pediment Tomb – The broken triangle shrine is an archaeological landmark located in the heart of the Wadi Musa desert, a short distance from the famous Petra treasury. Historians suggest that this magnificent shrine dates back to the year 228 BC. This shrine is characterized by its beautiful square facade, the marble columns surrounding it, and the huge doors. This landmark is one of the lesser known landmarks in Petra, so you won’t find many people around it when you visit.
Place address: Jordan
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17- High Place of Sacrifice
High Place of Sacrifice – The half-hour steep climb from the theater to the top of Qasr al-Nahr is well worth the effort. Paths and stairs that were part of the original Nabataean route lead to the long, flat summit that offers stunning mountain views. The most striking ruins from above are the two rocky obelisks so high 7 meters high, which was formed by carving the surface of the mountain, and these two obelisks represent the two most important Nabataean deities. The High Palace of Sacrifice is the best preserved of all the holy sites of the ancient world, and the city center can also be seen from this vantage point.
Place address: Al Madbah, Jordan
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18- Djinn Blocks
Djinn Blocks – One of the mysterious historical monuments in the Jordanian city of Petra, as it is located between the Petra Visitor Center and the entrance to the Siq, and attracts visitors to contemplate its wonderful and exceptional structure. They are three huge, squat monuments known as gin blocks. Some suggest that it represented the beginning of the tombs, or was associated with funerary dedications or the worship of water and fertility. Do not miss seeing these large monuments while touring the Petra antiquities area.
Place address: Jordan
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19- The Painted House
The Painted House – One of the distinctive archaeological buildings near Little Petra, north of Wadi Musa, the walls of this distinctive Nabataean house were painted in colors and include rare paintings preserved on the ceiling of the house with a very detailed depiction of birds, trees, and other drawings that depict the Romans in a period of time. Be sure to visit this wonderful site and enjoy wandering among the historical monuments and works of art that you will not find anywhere else.
Place address: Jordan
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Conclusion
As your journey through Wadi musa (Jordan) comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Wadi musa (Jordan) such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!