DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4643#0017
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Among the hills in the approach to Petra, the most striking is Mount Hor, from its boldness and height,
and still more, from its connexion with Scripture. The ascent to the supposed Tomb of Aaron, which
stands on its brow, occupies about an hour, and in its latter portion is extremely steep, often requiring
to be climbed on the hands and knees. In many parts, where it would have been otherwise impracticable,
the steepness is relieved by flights of stairs. The upper clefts of the mountain are enriched with a large
growth of juniper and other shrubs; and on the summit is a grotto, in which a kind of Arab hermit
dwelt for forty years, the greater part within the present century. He has lately died and seems to have
had no successor.
The Tomb is alluded to prior to the Crusades; it is in a vault, and for preservation it has long been
enclosed in a building similar to a Mahometan Saint's Sepulchre. An iron grating once protected it
from the unhallowed touch, but it has been broken down, and all may now approach. The visitors,
however, are compelled to descend into the vault with naked feet; an embarrassing necessity, in a place
which may naturally be supposed to breed vipers and scorpions. It is still much resorted to by the
Christian pilgrims, and is held in veneration even by the Mahometan.
TOSS IB ©W AAm©^, S'
:it ©w m©W5M n©iEo
Among the hills in the approach to Petra, the most striking is Mount Hor, from its boldness and height,
and still more, from its connexion with Scripture. The ascent to the supposed Tomb of Aaron, which
stands on its brow, occupies about an hour, and in its latter portion is extremely steep, often requiring
to be climbed on the hands and knees. In many parts, where it would have been otherwise impracticable,
the steepness is relieved by flights of stairs. The upper clefts of the mountain are enriched with a large
growth of juniper and other shrubs; and on the summit is a grotto, in which a kind of Arab hermit
dwelt for forty years, the greater part within the present century. He has lately died and seems to have
had no successor.
The Tomb is alluded to prior to the Crusades; it is in a vault, and for preservation it has long been
enclosed in a building similar to a Mahometan Saint's Sepulchre. An iron grating once protected it
from the unhallowed touch, but it has been broken down, and all may now approach. The visitors,
however, are compelled to descend into the vault with naked feet; an embarrassing necessity, in a place
which may naturally be supposed to breed vipers and scorpions. It is still much resorted to by the
Christian pilgrims, and is held in veneration even by the Mahometan.