Palace Tomb | Petra

Information

Landmark: Palace Tomb
City: Petra
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Palace Tomb, Petra, Jordan, Asia

The Palace Tomb is a monumental five-story rock-cut facade located at the northern end of the Royal Tombs in Petra. It is the widest structure in the archaeological park, designed to resemble a Roman palace or a Hellenistic stage building.

Visual Characteristics

The facade measures 49 meters in width and 46 meters in height. It features a lower level with twelve columns and four distinct entrances leading into separate burial chambers. The upper tiers are characterized by tiered pilasters and architectural moldings; notably, the top sections were constructed using masonry blocks rather than being carved from the bedrock, as the cliff face did not reach the required height.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located 2.8 kilometers from the Petra Visitor Center. Access is via the main tourist path through the Siq, passing the Theater and continuing north along the base of the Jabal al-Khubtha cliff. The tomb is reachable on foot or via the park's electric carts, which drop passengers at the central valley floor nearby.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Built in the late 1st century AD, the tomb is attributed to the later period of the Nabataean Kingdom. Its architectural style is a hybrid of local rock-cutting and Roman imperial design. The structure is carved into the same variegated sandstone found throughout the region, though its masonry-built upper stories have suffered more significant collapse over time due to seismic activity.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore the large internal chambers, which are notable for their scale and plain, functional finish compared to the ornate exterior. The wide plaza in front of the tomb allows for group gatherings and panoramic photography. The site serves as a transition point for those beginning the Al-Khubtha trail to view the Treasury from above.

Infrastructure & Amenities

No permanent infrastructure exists at the Palace Tomb. Shaded relief is available within the massive doorways. The nearest restrooms and refreshments are located 600 meters away at the beginning of the Colonnaded Street or back toward the Theater. 4G cell signal is typically strong in this open section of the valley.

Best Time to Visit

Photography is most effective in the late afternoon, between 16:00 and sunset, when the west-facing facade is fully illuminated. During the summer, visiting before 10:00 is advised to avoid high temperatures, as the plaza provides no protection from the sun.

Facts & Legends

The Palace Tomb is unique in Petra for its use of "supplementary masonry." Because the mountain was not tall enough to accommodate the architect's vision for a three-story facade, the builders carried up separate stone blocks to finish the top stories, a rare departure from the city's standard monolithic carving technique.