The Obelisk Tomb is an ancient tomb and funeral hall carved into the sandstone rock. It is one of the first monuments you see when you visit the ancient city of Petra.
You can find the Obelisk Tomb to your left, just before you enter the narrow walkway through The Siq. Take a moment or two to take in the beauty and significance of this ancient structure. The whole tomb was carved into the rock face, an amazing achievement.
See how this burial site actually encompasses two quite different buildings. The top part is the tomb itself while the bottom is a triclinium called Bab Al-Siq. A triclinium is a Roman name and here it refers to a room or hall for conducting funeral rites or feasts to commemorate the dead.
Look closer to study the details of the carvings. The main features that stand out are the four obelisks that give the building its name. Between these columns you can find a carving of a figure and together these five distinct features are believed to represent the five people buried within. The triclinium is carved in a more classical manner, softened by many years of erosion. It’s thought to be much older than the tomb, which is believed to have been carved by the Nabateans in the 1st century.
As you leave Petra at the end of the day, take one more look at the tomb to see how the lower light gives new color to the rocks and highlights the sharp lines of the obelisks.
The Obelisk Tomb and the Bab Al-Siq triclinium are part of entry to the Petra complex. No additional fees apply to see the tomb. Arrange for a guide at the Petra Visitor Center to get more in-depth information about the tomb and the other treasures of Petra.
