High Place of Sacrifice

Also known as al-Madhbah, the High Place of Sacrifice is a historic site once used for animal sacrifices to the Nabatean God Dushara. One of the highest places in Petra, it is situated atop the Jebel Madhbah Mountain, close to the Petra Theater and the Street of Facades. It offers marvellous views of some of Petra’s renowned attractions and the camel handlers below. It is also an excellent place for photography.

This historic site features channels that were used to drain the blood and a rectangular triclinium where the communal supper was perhaps held. At the centre is a large stone block or motab, where the idols of deities were probably kept. There is also a circular altar with stone water basins nearby that were supposedly used for cleansing and purifying. The High Place of Sacrifice can be reached by climbing up a flight of steep stone steps that cross the nearby Obelisks, and on the way back, one can take the same path or choose the one along the western cliff. There are Bedouin stallholders around too.