High Place of Sacrifice | Petra

Information

Landmark: High Place of Sacrifice
City: Petra
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

High Place of Sacrifice, Petra, Jordan, Asia

The High Place of Sacrifice is a mountaintop altar complex situated atop Jebel Madbah, overlooking the central valley of Petra. It is considered the most complete and well-preserved ancient sacrificial site in the Biblical Levant.

Visual Characteristics

The site features a large rectangular courtyard carved into the flattened mountain peak, measuring 14.5 meters by 6.5 meters. To the west of the courtyard stands a raised stone altar reached by a short flight of steps, flanked by a circular basin and a deep drainage channel for sacrificial fluids. Two 6-meter-tall rock-cut obelisks, carved directly out of the mountain ridge, stand at the edge of the plateau to mark the sacred precinct.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located approximately 2.5 kilometers from the Petra Visitor Center. Access requires a steep 30-to-45-minute ascent via an ancient rock-cut staircase that begins near the Street of Facades and The Theatre. The trail is purely pedestrian; the descent can be made via the same route or through the more scenic Wadi Farasa trail, which leads toward the Qasr al-Bint.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed by the Nabataeans in the 1st century BC, the site was dedicated to the primary gods Dushara and Al-Uzza. The entire complex was created by removing tons of sandstone to leave the altars and obelisks standing in situ. The plateau consists of weathered red-and-white sandstone from the Umm Ishrin formation.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can examine the libation basins and the stone-cut drain intended for the blood of sacrificed animals. The site provides 360-degree panoramic views of the city center, the Royal Tombs, and the distant Aaron’s Tomb. Hiking and landscape photography are the primary activities.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There is no infrastructure or permanent shelter at the summit. A small Bedouin tea stall often operates near the obelisks, providing limited shade and bottled water. There are no restrooms or cell phone charging stations available. 4G cellular signal is strong and consistent due to the elevation.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for a visit is early morning (07:00–09:00) to avoid the direct midday sun during the strenuous climb. For photography, the late afternoon provides the best light for capturing the surrounding mountain ranges and the Royal Tombs across the valley.

Facts & Legends

The two massive obelisks at the entrance were created by carving away the rest of the mountain peak around them, meaning they are not separate stones placed there, but rather part of the original bedrock. This signifies the immense labor and religious devotion the Nabataeans invested in their high-altitude shrines.