Jebal el Habis (Crusader castle)

Jebal Habis is a small mountain that stands at the back of Petra. It is dwarfed by the huge shadow of Um al Biera behind it. Jebal Habis is an important mountain however, for along it's bottom are many tombs and on the south end and along the top there are the remains of a small crusader castle. If you stop at the ancient pistachio tree in the center of Petra, at the Nymphium, the old man who runs the soda pop shop will probably point to Jebal Habis and ask you if you can see the camel in it. And sure enough, the north end of the mountain looks like a camel's head.

Situated on the summit of al-Habis is a 12th century Crusader fortress indicating that al-Habis played a significant role in the military control of Petra during this period. Constructed on sandstone monoliths, the fortress was difficult to access, providing reinforced protection from attacks. The eastern face of the rock contains several unusual monuments; the ‘Columbarium,’ its inner chamber and most of its walls covered by small square niches and the Unfinished Tomb, only the upper part of which was completed. At the peak of the al-Habis processional way is a small high place that served a religious function.