Jebel Haroun (Aaron’s Tomb) | Petra

Information

Landmark: Jebel Haroun (Aaron’s Tomb)
City: Petra
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Jebel Haroun (Aaron’s Tomb), Petra, Jordan, Asia

Jebel Haroun (Mount Aaron) is the highest peak in the Petra region, standing at 1,350 meters above sea level. It is the site of a 14th-century Islamic mosque built over the ruins of a Byzantine monastery, traditionally believed to mark the burial place of Aaron, the brother of Moses.

Visual Characteristics

The summit is dominated by a small, white-domed mosque (makaam) with a simple rectangular structure. The interior contains a cenotaph covered in green silk cloths and Hebrew/Arabic inscriptions. The building incorporates architectural fragments from the earlier Byzantine era, including marble pieces and Greek inscriptions.

Location & Access Logistics

The peak is located approximately 5 kilometers southwest of the Petra city center (Qasr al-Bint). Access is via a rigorous, long-distance trail through the rugged terrain of Wadi al-Thughra. The round-trip hike from the Basin takes 6 to 8 hours. The final ascent involves a steep, winding staircase carved into the mountain. While local Bedouins offer mule transport for the valley portions, the summit must be reached on foot.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The site has been a place of pilgrimage since at least the late Roman period. The original Byzantine monastery complex, discovered through excavations on a lower terrace, dates to the 5th–6th century AD. The current mosque was constructed during the Mamluk period (1328 AD) by Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad. The mountain is composed of tough Precambrian granite and volcanic rock, topped by the same sandstone layers found throughout Petra.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore the mosque interior and the surrounding Byzantine ruins. The summit provides the most extensive panoramic view in the region, encompassing the entire Petra basin, the Wadi Araba desert, and the Negev mountains in Israel. It is a significant site for interfaith pilgrimage, attracting Muslim, Christian, and Jewish interest.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There is no infrastructure, modern shelter, or water supply on the mountain. Hikers must carry all necessary supplies, including several liters of water. A small, basic rest area maintained by local Bedouins may be available at the base of the final ascent, but it is not a permanent facility. 4G cellular signal is available at the summit due to the high elevation.

Best Time to Visit

The trek should begin at sunrise (06:00–07:00) to ensure completion before nightfall and to avoid the intense midday heat on the exposed mountain trails. The site is best visited in spring or autumn; winter temperatures at this altitude can drop below freezing, and high winds are common.

Facts & Legends

According to the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible, Aaron died and was buried on "Mount Hor." While the exact location is debated, the long-standing local and religious tradition identifying Jebel Haroun as Mount Hor has persisted for over 1,500 years.