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.
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.
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.
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!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 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)
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