Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
At Nai Mong Hoi Thod, the oyster omelet is worth waiting for.
Nai Mong Hoi Thod
In this deceptively simple dish, top-quality ingredients are paramount.
Kor Panich
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
5 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
5 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
6 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
7 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Saudi Arabia Hegra Jabal Ithlib
AO Edited

Jabal Ithlib

Carved into a towering rock mountain in Al Ula, this once served as a religious and political center in Hegra.

Hegra, Saudi Arabia

Added By
Soumya Gayatri
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
  Max Cortesi / Atlas Obscura User
Niches and sanctuaries at Jabal Ithlib.   soumyagayatri / Atlas Obscura User
Rock inscriptions at Jabal Ithlib.   soumyagayatri / Atlas Obscura User
Niches and sanctuaries at Jabal Ithlib.   soumyagayatri / Atlas Obscura User
Inscription over a sacred niche at Jabal Ithlib.   soumyagayatri / Atlas Obscura User
Baetyl at Jabal Ithlib.   soumyagayatri / Atlas Obscura User
Diwan or meeting hall at Jabal Ithlib.   soumyagayatri / Atlas Obscura User
Siq Canal at the entrance to Jabal Ithlib.   soumyagayatri / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Jabal Ithlib is a complex of rocky mountains located in the heart of Hegra, Al Ula. Home to a large number of inscriptions, shrines, and altars, it is believed to have been an important religious center for the Nabataean people of Al Ula.

On the right at the Jabal Ithlib complex’s entrance is a large, open hall cut into the rock. This is the Diwan, where Nabataeans are believed to have gathered to discuss religious and political issues, perform rituals, and feast together as a community. Rock-cut benches line the three sides of the hall.

A narrow, naturally formed passageway called the Siq Canal leads from the Diwan into the Jabal Ithlib complex, where numerous inscriptions are carved into the rocks. Over 100 inscriptions in various languages have been found in Jabal Ithlib.

The Siq Canal and the rocks within the complex also feature niches and altars that once housed figures of deities that the Nabataeans worshipped. These figures were usually sacred stones or baetyl, which points to the complex’s religious significance.

The rocks of Jabal Ithlib also feature a water channel that runs from one of the rocks in the complex into a cistern below. This channel is part of the advanced water management system the Nabataeans implemented nearly 2,000 years ago.

Related Tags

Ancient Archaeology Cultures And Civilizations Ruins

Know Before You Go

The best way to get to Jabal Ithlib is through a guided tour that takes you to the site's parking area. Self-driving is not allowed in Hegra. So, a guided tour is the best bet.

You'll need to walk about 2 minutes from the parking area to the entrance and then through the Siq Canal to explore more. Wear good shoes because climbing those rocks can be a little tricky. Your guide will let you know which ones you're allowed to climb. 

Community Contributors

Added By

soumyagayatri

Edited By

Max Cortesi

  • Max Cortesi

Published

February 24, 2025

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Belmonte, J.A., González-García, A.C., AlMushawh, M.A. et al. Land- and Skyscapes of Hegra: An Archaeoastronomical Analysis of the Nabataean Necropoleis. Nexus Netw J 26, 275–305 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-024-00774-z
  • Nehmé, Laila. "Ancient Hegra, a Nabataean Site in a Semi-arid Environment. The Urban Space and Preliminary Results from the First Excavation Season." https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/30168068/3_nehme-libre.pdf?1390879199=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DAncient_Hegra_a_Nabataean_Site_in_a_Semi.pdf&Expires=1732545093&Signature=WpjAy~tfaV~9VV2uaPNHuKQfNOrXVCCwCCzQRYep2xr-kMaZsFfLM4eIuSvhFAW4U7kI4dTBL1qwarqN6hwTE2Kr6qM9~UMWf0TKGa4EOUuSjDk0fMRdSHv2rXJItHDV6VR8XcSimM5uMIHx7yzrjqfLrFhPbCFlNgpO027EG8cKMm3owdyZ-shxq9ptKVVaIwwluRz-ksbB4QRW28fu2I3qvxt2cwX5dCQdXwMRj4GpzH11N-seuZxUlKkAUITOqBrE9Rv4dCiurOmryGc~WHTZ2pSdz99mDUHVaBPppYMh2LFPxPrsJe1fFJfBMMoH6xN6IXfazVyMlLhhxiYjMA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA
  • https://saudi-archaeology.com/sites/madain-saleh/attachment/niches-in-the-jebel-ithlib-sanctuary/
Jabal Ithlib
Hegra, 43541
Saudi Arabia
26.770205, 37.945649
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Qasr al-Farid

Hegra, Saudi Arabia

miles away

Hegra Archaeological Site

Hegra, Saudi Arabia

miles away

Jabal Ikmah

Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hegra

Hegra

Saudi Arabia

Places 2

Nearby Places

Qasr al-Farid

Hegra, Saudi Arabia

miles away

Hegra Archaeological Site

Hegra, Saudi Arabia

miles away

Jabal Ikmah

Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hegra

Hegra

Saudi Arabia

Places 2

Related Places

  • An ancient wall with a path running through it under a metal roof

    Yulin, China

    Shimao Relics

    A massive ancient Chinese city with stone walls and evidence of human sacrifices.

  • Teotenango

    Tenango del Valle, Mexico

    Teotenango

    The archeological ruins of the ancient fortified city of the mysterious Teotenanca civilization.

  • The dancers.

    Monte Albán, Mexico

    Monte Albán

    These sacred Mesoamerican ruins feature peculiar petroglyphs hidden in the stones.

  • Pirámide de los Nichos

    Papantla, Mexico

    Pirámide de los Nichos (Pyramid of the Niches)

    The singular ruins of a mysterious lost city.

  • The altar seen from the front.

    Soriano nel Cimino, Italy

    Etruscan Pyramid of Bomarzo

    This ancient altar emerges from the thick forests to reveal the mysteries of Etruscan sacrificial rituals.

  • Qasr al-Farid

    Hegra, Saudi Arabia

    Qasr al-Farid

    An unfinished tomb carved into a giant boulder in the Arabian Desert.

  • View from below.

    Urubamba, Peru

    Machu Colca

    This archaeological site features an early version of today’s refrigerators.

  • Globe, Arizona

    Besh-Ba-Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum

    The remains of a large pueblo village constructed by the Salado culture, who occupied the region more than 600 years ago.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.