Obelisk Tomb & Bab as-Siq Triclinium. — Attraction in Maan

The Obelisk Tomb is one of the many impressive rock-cut tombs that can be found at the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. It is located in the northern part of the city, along the Street of Facades, a row of tombs that served as the final resting place for the wealthy and powerful inhabitants of Petra.

The Obelisk Tomb gets its name from the four obelisks that are carved into the top of the facade, which were likely intended to symbolize the four corners of the world or to honor the four winds. The tomb is a prime example of the intricate and detailed craftsmanship that was typical of the Nabataean people, who carved many of Petra's most impressive structures out of the sandstone cliffs.

The Obelisk Tomb consists of a central chamber with a vaulted ceiling, which would have housed the remains of the tomb's occupants. The facade of the tomb is adorned with a series of columns, pediments, and other decorative elements, which were carved out of the sandstone cliffs with incredible precision and attention to detail.

Like many of the tombs at Petra, the Obelisk Tomb was likely plundered by looters over the centuries, and its contents have long since been removed. Nevertheless, the tomb remains one of the most impressive and striking structures in Petra, a testament to the incredible skill and artistry of the Nabataean people...

You've gone through the main entrance and hopefully you've successfully passed the horse and carriage peddlers without incidence so now the show begins!

The first major monument you'll see is the two-storey Obelisk Tomb on the left-hand-side only a few minutes walk past the Petra Visitor Center and before the entrance to the Siq, the canyon leading you to the Lost City. The Obelisk Tomb (see my photos here) gives you a hint as to what you're going to see ahead of you. This ancient structure is a tomb with four pyramidal obelisks and a human figure, eroded by time, in the center. It's beautiful at sunset but you don't want to be here then ;-)

OK let's keep moving, our nextstop is the Bab al-Siq.....remember, drink...

Between the Petra Visitor Center and the entrance of the Siq on the south side of the path. The fine tomb with four pyramidal obelisk built as funerary symbols by the Nabateans. The four obelisks, together with the eroded human figure in the center, probably represent the five people buried in the tomb.

There will be offered if you want to ride the horse and it's included with your ticket. They just want tip, make sure to negotiate how much you are willing to pay...