“Everyone assumes this mountain inspired Lawrence's famous book, but it was the other way around: the rock was named after the book.”
About Seven Pillars of Wisdom
T. E. Lawrence titled his First World War memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom, drawing on a phrase from the biblical Book of Proverbs, before associating it with Arabia. This multi-buttressed mountain near the Wadi Rum visitor centre was subsequently named after his famous book, cementing the link between the desert where he fought and the literary legend that grew around him.
Seven Pillars of Wisdom
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a striking rock formation rising near the entrance to Wadi Rum, a massive sandstone mountain whose face is split into a series of vertical buttresses or 'pillars'. One of the first great sights entering the protected desert, it has become an emblem of Wadi Rum and a favourite subject for photographs against the red sand.
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is a striking rock formation rising near the entrance to Wadi Rum, a massive sandstone mountain whose face is split into a series of vertical buttresses or 'pillars'.
Named After a Book, Not the Other Way Around
There is a common misconception about the name. The formation was named after T. E. Lawrence's celebrated memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and not, as many assume, the reverse. Lawrence took his title from a biblical phrase before he ever knew this particular mountain, and the impressive multi-buttressed peak near the visitor centre was later given the name in his honour, linking the landscape to the legend of Lawrence of Arabia.
The Experience
You see the Seven Pillars rising dramatically as you arrive at Wadi Rum, its face divided into towering rock columns glowing red in the sun, perfectly framed against the desert and often the first photograph of any visit. From the nearby visitor centre and rest house you can take in the formation, set off into the desert by jeep or camel, and appreciate the landscape that shaped Lawrence's account.
Why It Matters
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the iconic gateway formation of Wadi Rum and a direct link to the story of Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt. As one of the desert's most recognisable sights, it anchors the visitor experience and the historical legend that draws many travellers here.
The Seven Pillars of Wisdom is the iconic gateway formation of Wadi Rum and a direct link to the story of Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt.
Why Visit
The emblematic rock formation at the entrance to Wadi Rum, a dramatic multi-pillared mountain named after Lawrence of Arabia's famous memoir.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Photograph it in the warm light of morning or late afternoon.
- 2
It stands near the visitor centre at the desert entrance.
- 3
Use it as the starting point for a desert jeep or camel tour.
