Vaux Moise (al-Wu’ayra)
A Crusader castle on a sandstone ridge just north of Petra, reached by a bridge over a gorge
BuiltEarly 12th c. AD
TowersFourteen
Location1 km N of Petra
AccessFree · no fence
Introduction
Its strength came less from its walls than from the rock itself.
On a narrow sandstone ridge just north of Petra, cut off by deep ravines, stand the ruins of al-Wu’ayra, the Crusaders’ Li Vaux Moïse, the castle of “the Valley of Moses”. The only way in was across a bridge over the gorge, and the gate was cut through an older Nabataean tomb.
The castle was built in the first half of the 12th century and formed, with al-Habis in the city centre, the Crusader defence of the Petra valley. It is free, unfenced and rarely visited, about 1 km from Petra’s main entrance on the road to Little Petra.
Best timeMar–May · Oct–Nov
Time needed1 hr
TicketFree
From Amman230 km · 3 hr
Combine withPetra · 5 min
Google rating4.4 · Reviews
Highlights · A castle in the rock
A bridge, a rock-cut gate and fourteen towers
Five things to look for at Vaux Moise
Vaux Moise is a ruin to explore at your own pace. These are the places that make the visit.
01 / 0501 · Defence
The rock-cut gate
Bridge and gate
The main gate was cut through a reused Nabataean tomb, with benches along its sides.
Look closely
The benches inside the gatehouse.
1 of 5
Part by part
What to see
Four parts of the visit: the gate, the walls and towers, the rock-cut rooms and the views. Pick one to see what to look for.
1 / 801 · The only way in
Cross the bridge
Leave the car by the side of the road and cross the old bridge over the gorge of Wadi al-Wu’ayra. In Crusader times an isolated foregate with movable bridges controlled the crossing.
The main gate was cut through a reused Nabataean tomb. Inside, benches line the walls of the gatehouse, much like the rock-cut rooms of Petra.
BridgeRock-cut gateNabataean tomb
Look for
- The bridge over the gorge
- The gate cut through the rock
- The benches inside the gatehouse
1 / 902 · The castle on the ridge
Walk the ridge
Inside the gate, a double line of walls with fourteen square towers enclosed the ridge, with the keep at the only access. The walls are built of small, neatly coursed stones, and some towers stand on isolated outcrops.
A fortified church, reached by a ramp, guarded the main water tank, and a Crusader graveyard was found beside it.
14 towersKeepFortified church
Look for
- Towers on the rock outcrops
- Arrow slits in the tower walls
- The ramp up to the church
Dig deeperLost and retaken
In 1144, after the death of King Fulk, Turkish forces took the castle with local help, and the young King Baldwin III recaptured it. In 1158 it was besieged again but held.
1 / 803 · Before the Crusaders
Find the rock-cut rooms
The ridge was used long before the castle. Its gate reuses a Nabataean tomb, and rooms, stairs and cisterns are cut into the sandstone all around.
A rock-cut room once thought to be Nabataean was identified in 2016 as a Byzantine Christian chapel of the 5th–6th century, surrounded by at least ten cells of hermits who lived here.
Nabataean tombsByzantine chapelHermit cells
Look for
- Stairs cut into the rock
- The mouth of a cistern
- Rooms carved into the sandstone
1 / 604 · The landscape
Look around
The castle sits in a landscape of rounded sandstone domes and ravines. From the ridge you can see why the Crusaders chose it: every approach is guarded by cliffs.
The light is best in the morning and late afternoon, when the sandstone glows.
SandstoneViewsBest light morning and evening
Look for
- Sandstone domes and ravines
- Watchtower remains on the outcrops
- The mountains of Petra
History & significance
The castle of the Valley of Moses
Al-Wu’ayra guarded the outer approach to the Petra valley for the Crusaders. It changed hands in 1144, held out in 1158 and passed to Saladin in 1188 or 1189.
- 5th–6th c. ADA Byzantine chapel and hermit cells
- Early 12th c. ADThe Crusaders build the castle
- AD 1144Taken by Turkish forces, retaken by Baldwin III
- AD 1158Besieged again, but holds
- AD 1188/1189Passes to Saladin
- AD 1999–2001The castle is conserved
ProfileVaux Moise (al-Wu’ayra): the full storyThe history, the architecture and the hermits of al-Wu’ayra.Read the profile →Plan your visit
Everything you need to know before you go
The castle is about 1 km north of Petra’s main entrance, beside the road from Wadi Musa to Little Petra. The turn-off is not signposted and there is no car park: use the map pin, leave the car by the roadside and cross the old bridge.
Good to know: the site is open, with no fence, gate or guard. The ground is rocky and uneven, with unfenced drops into the ravines.
Opening hoursOpen accessUnstaffed site · visit in daylight
Entry ticketFreeNo ticket office
Time to visit1 hrAbout an hour to explore the ridge
From Amman230 kmAbout 3 hours by the Desert Highway
LocationWadi Musa30.3330° N, 35.4658° EGet directions
Opening hours and prices checked October 2026. Spotted a change? Let us know
On site
What you’ll find at Vaux Moise (al-Wu’ayra)
- Viewpoint
Not on site: visitor centre, ticket office, toilets, designated parking, museum, guide, food & drinks, market / shop, hotels
Access: no 4x4 needed
When to go
Spring and autumn are best. There is no shade, so avoid the middle of the day in summer.
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BestGood, cooler or warmVery hot
Tip: come in the late afternoon after a day in Petra, when the sandstone glows.
Before you go
There are no services at the site; Wadi Musa is a few minutes away.
- Good shoesRocky, uneven ground
- WaterNo shade and no services
- Sun hat and sunscreenEspecially from May to September
- The map pinThe turn-off is not signposted
Common questions
Quick answers before you set off.
Do I need a Petra ticket for Vaux Moise?
No. The castle is outside the main Petra entrance, and entry is free.
How do I find it?
It is about 1 km north of Petra’s main entrance on the road to Little Petra. The turn-off is not signposted, so use the map pin and park by the roadside.
How long do I need?
About an hour to cross the bridge, walk the ridge and see the towers.
Is it safe for children?
With care. There is no fence and there are steep drops into the ravines, so keep children close.
Can I visit on a tour?
Yes. Vaux Moise is the last stop of our King’s Highway tour from Amman to Petra.
Combine with
Vaux Moise is minutes from Petra and on the road to Little Petra. Drive times are from Vaux Moise.
Private tours
A private day tour that includes Vaux Moise (al-Wu’ayra)
The tour is just for you: your own vehicle and driver, hotel pickup in Amman and entry tickets included. The price depends on how many travellers there are, up to three.
Private: only your group
Your own vehicle & driver
Hotel pick-up in Amman
Entry tickets included
from$330per group (1–3) · 235 JOD
Tour 1 · Full day · Private
Best of King’s Highway from Amman to Petra
While Petra and Amman are among Jordan’s most famous destinations, the journey between them along the historic King’s Highway is filled with extraordinary landscapes, ancient monuments, and hidden archaeological treasures. This private one-way tour transforms a simple transfer into an unforgettable full-day exploration of Jordan’s history, culture, and natural beauty.
Crusader castlesNabataean sitesOne way to Petra8 stops4x4
Duration12–13 hr
Pick-up8 AM
Group1–3, private
Included
- Private luxury transfer
- Entrance fees
- Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks
- Coffee/tea (on request)
- WiFi, Phone charger
Not included
- Professional on-site (local) guide
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
CancellationFull refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. No refunds or changes within 24 hours.
Pick-upFrom your hotel lobby or home in Amman, 5 minutes before your chosen start time.
BringComfortable shoes, sun hat, sunblock and sunglasses. Tours run in English.
Explore this site
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Panoramas, walk-throughs, photos and stories about this site.
ProfileVaux Moise (al-Wu’ayra): history & architecture
Photo albumVaux Moise: A Crusader Castle by Petra in Photos
360°360° panoramaVaux Moise Ancient Stone Passage: 360° PanoramaNearby
