Ma'an Governorate is Jordan's largest governorate by area, encompassing the legendary rose-red city of Petra, the dramatic desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, and the historic market town of Ma'an city. This southern region is home to some of the ancient world's most extraordinary monuments, carved by the Nabataean civilization over two millennia ago. From rugged desert canyons to Crusader-era castles, Ma'an offers an unparalleled journey through layers of human history set against spectacular natural scenery.
Ma'an Governorate's history stretches back to the Edomites of the Iron Age who inhabited the highlands around Shoubak and the Petra massif from around 1200 BC. The region's extraordinary flowering came under the Nabataean civilization (4th century BC to 106 AD) who carved the city of Petra into rose-red sandstone cliffs and built a trading empire connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. After Roman annexation in 106 AD, the region continued as a major node on the Incense Road through the Byzantine era, before Islamic conquest in 636 AD began a new chapter. The Crusader period (12th-13th centuries) left the spectacular Shoubak Castle, and the region played a pivotal role in the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918 that shaped the modern Middle East.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Ma'an.
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1
Edomite Kingdom
The highlands of the Ma'an region were inhabited by the Edomites, a Semitic people mentioned in the Bible. Their settlement Um al-Biyara atop a mesa inside Petra was excavated and dated to this period.
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2
Rise of the Nabataean Kingdom
The Nabataean Arabs emerged as a dominant trading power, using Petra as their capital. They controlled the lucrative Incense Road carrying frankincense, myrrh, and spices from Arabia to the Mediterranean world.
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3
Golden Age of Petra
Petra reached its peak under Kings Aretas III and IV. The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) was carved in this period. The city's population reached an estimated 20,000-30,000 people.
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4
Roman Annexation — Provincia Arabia
Rome peacefully annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, renaming it Provincia Arabia with Bosra as its capital. Petra continued as a major city. The Colonnaded Street was built in Roman style over Nabataean foundations.
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5
Byzantine Era
Christianity spread throughout the region after Rome's conversion. Several Petra temples were converted to churches. The Byzantine Church in Petra preserves spectacular mosaic floors from this period.
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6
Islamic Conquest
Arab Muslim forces under the Rashidun Caliphate took control of the region. The Nabataean Bdoul tribe converted to Islam and continued inhabiting Petra's surroundings for centuries.
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7
Abbasid Revolution from Humayma
The Abbasid family, based in the Ma'an village of Humayma, launched the revolution that overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate and moved the Islamic world's centre of power to Baghdad — a pivotal moment in world history originating in Ma'an.
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8
Crusader Castle at Shoubak (Montreal)
King Baldwin I of Jerusalem built the castle of Montreal (Shoubak) to control the King's Highway route and tax the lucrative trade passing through the region.
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9
Saladin Takes Shoubak
Saladin (Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub) besieged and captured Shoubak Castle after the defeat of the Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin, ending Crusader control of southern Jordan.
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10
Petra Abandoned
Petra gradually fell into abandonment following Mamluk rule and the decline of the Incense Road trade routes. The Bdoul Bedouin tribe continued living in its caves but the city as an urban centre ceased.
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11
Johann Ludwig Burckhardt 'Rediscovers' Petra
Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt became the first Westerner in modern times to visit Petra, disguising himself as a Bedouin pilgrim to gain access to the site.
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12
Arab Revolt — Ma'an Battles
Ma'an was a key Ottoman stronghold during the Arab Revolt led by Sharif Hussein of Mecca and assisted by T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). Ma'an city remained in Ottoman hands until the end of WWI despite several Arab attacks.
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13
Kingdom of Jordan Independence
The Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan gained independence under King Abdullah I. Ma'an Governorate became part of the new state.
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14
Petra — UNESCO World Heritage Site
Petra was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accelerating international tourism and conservation efforts in the region.
Historical eras
The chapters of Ma'an's past.
Edomite Period
Early Iron Age inhabitants of the Ma'an highlands. Biblical references to Edom align with the Petra massif area. Um al-Biyara summit contains the most significant Edomite remains.
Nabataean Kingdom
The most spectacular and significant cultural period in Ma'an's history. The Nabataeans built Petra as their capital, created an elaborate water management system, and controlled the ancient Incense Road trade network.
Roman Provincia Arabia
Rome peacefully annexed the Nabataean kingdom and integrated it into the empire. Roman urban planning overlaid Nabataean Petra with a colonnaded street and civic buildings.
Byzantine Period
Christian administration of the region saw Nabataean temples converted to churches. The Byzantine Church in Petra with its magnificent mosaic floors dates from this era.
Islamic and Crusader Period
Arab Islamic rule transformed the region's culture. The Crusader presence (1115-1189) left Shoubak Castle. The Abbasid revolution (750 AD) originated in Humayma in Ma'an Governorate.
Historical sites
Places where Ma'an's past comes alive.
Petra Archaeological Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Seven Wonders of the World, Petra is one of the most significant archaeological sites on earth, containing over 800 monuments carved into rose-red sandstone.
Where: Wadi Musa
Admission: JOD 50 (1-day), included in Jordan Pass
Shoubak Castle (Montreal)
A dramatically sited Crusader fortress built in 1115 by King Baldwin I, featuring towers, cisterns, a secret escape tunnel, and Byzantine church remains.
Where: Shoubak
Admission: JOD 1
Humayma — Abbasid Origins
A remote multi-era site including Nabataean cisterns, Roman fort walls, and the remains of the homestead of the Abbasid family who launched the revolution that changed the Islamic world.
Where: Southern Ma'an Governorate
Admission: Free
Beidha Neolithic Village
One of the oldest excavated settlements in the world, with circular and rectangular stone structures from a pre-farming community dating back 9,000 years.
Where: Near Little Petra
Admission: Free
Byzantine Church — Petra
A basilica with three aisles containing spectacular intact mosaic floors depicting animals, birds, and allegorical figures. Discovered in 1990 and partially conserved for visitors.
Where: Petra Archaeological Park
Admission: Included in Petra ticket
Museums
Curated collections that tell Ma'an's story.
Petra Archaeological Museum
A small but significant museum near Qasr al-Bint inside the Petra site displaying Nabataean sculptures, pottery, jewellery, and objects excavated from the site
Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (inside Petra site)
Admission: Included in Petra ticket
Ma'an City Museum
Local history museum covering prehistoric finds, Islamic-era artefacts, and the history of the Arab Revolt in Ma'an, including photographs and documents from the early Hashemite period
Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed Friday)
Admission: JOD 1
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
The Petra Visitor Center offers informal orientation from site staff. Licensed guides available at the visitor center from JOD 50-70 for a half-day.
Day tours
Full-day Petra historical tours with licensed guides from JOD 70-120 including all major monuments. Dana archaeology tours available from RSCN offices.
Private tours
Private Petra guides from JOD 80/full day. Specialist Nabataean archaeology guides from JOD 120/day — contact Petra Tourism Organisation for licensed specialists.