The Royal Tombs, Petra

The magnificent Royal Tombs are carved into one continual cliff face along the western face of Jabal al-Khubtha that rises above the center of the Petra Archaeological Park. These large mausoleums were the tombs of Nabataean kings over 2,300 years ago. In a few minutes, you'll know everything you'll need to make your visit to the tombs exceptional and unforgettable. 

History of the Royal Tombs of Petra

The Royal Tombs date back to the first half of the 1st century AD. The size and decoration of these Petra tombs indicated that they belonged to rich and powerful Nabataeanians, possibly Petra royalty.

Welcome to the Petra Royal Tombs!

The Urn Tomb may have belonged to Petra King Malchus II. The Nabataeanians had been in Petra since about the 3rd century BC, so by the time these tombs were built Petra had been exposed to Hellenistic architectural ideas. This is seen in the blend of eastern and western architectural traditions. 

What to See and Do at the Royal Tombs Petra

Urn Tomb

The first of the Urn Tombs is built high on the mountainside and has a 26 by 16.49-meter facade. To reach it you will have to hike up a flight of stairs. A large colonnaded courtyard stands in front of the tomb. If you'll look carefully at the rear wall, you'll see an inscription carved into the stone recording the consecration of the tomb as a church in 447 AD.

The Urn Tomb in Petra (by Bernard Gagnon CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pro Tip: Get amazing shots overlooking Petra from the courtyard. It is thought to have been the tomb of Petra King Aretas IV, or King Malchus II who died in 70AD. A row of columns lines the front courtyard and a doorway leads into the main chamber. Look above the doorway to see the openings of three burial chambers. In the large main chamber, you can see three asps or semi-circular niches that were added to the structure when it was repurposed into a church during the Byzantine period.

Silk Tomb

The Silk Tomb stands alongside the Urn Tomb. It is smaller but gets a lot of attention because of the sandstone’s rich color. The dramatic pigment makes it one of the most popular photo ops in Petra - and a must-see for every visitor. 

The Silk Tomb. Just look at these colors!

Corinthian Tomb

Next in line after the Urn Tomb and Silk Tomb is the Corinthian Tomb, fittingly named for the Corinthian-style pilasters (columns that are not free-standing but carved onto the side of the cliff or wall). If this tomb had been better preserved, it might have rivaled the famous Treasury of Petra. It has a facade measuring 27.55 meters wide and 26 meters high. Spot the four water basins in front and on the side of the tomb, used for ritual cleansing. Inside the tomb are four chambers.

The Palace Tomb Petra

The broad facade of the Palace Tomb is three stories high and is intended to resemble the facade of Nero’s palace in Rome. In front of the facade is a large courtyard and stage. This area might have been used for funeral ceremonies.

Pro Tip: For the best shot of all the tombs standing beside each other go across the valley opposite the tombs.

Left to Right: the Palace Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, and the Silk Tomb (by David Stanley CC BY 2.0)

Plan Your Visit

• Opening Times: the Petra Archaeological Park is open from 06:00-18:00 in summer and until 16:00 in winter.
• Prices: There is a 90 JOD admission fee to the Petra Archaeological Park. For visitors on a Petra tour from Israel, admission is included. Pro Tip: If you’re visiting Petra independently, buy the Jordan Pass for a discounted admission ticket to Petra Archaeological Park.
• Average Visit Duration: The average time spent at the Royal tombs is 60-120 min, this might vary if you are on a Petra tour.
• Popular Times: Try to get to the site early to avoid crowds and to cover all the essential Petra structures.
• Special Events: Petra By Night is a dazzling candlelight spectacle that takes place in the Petra Archaeological Park on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 20:30 in front of the Treasury.
• Relevant Tours: If you took a one-day tour of Petra you will be able to include a stop at the Royal Tombs. But to explore them in depth and see much more, it's better to choose a two-day Petra tour. This way you won't miss the amazing Petra Monastery, Qasr Al-Bint temple, The Colonnaded Street, and include the Petra by Night show. With a Petra tour from Tel Aviv, you’ll see both countries on one trip.