The “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” rock formation
Wadi Rum (The Valley of the Moon)
Jordan, May 1995
“The cliff currently called the ‘Seven Pillars of Wisdom’ is at the entrance to the Wadi Rum. The new ‘Gate’ to the Wadi Rum protected area is close beside it, and the new Visitors' Centre looks out over it. Just behind this jebel is Jebel Um Ishrin. Most people assume that T.E. Lawrence's book was named after this cliff. In fact the reverse is true, and the name has only become generally accepted locally in the last 10 years or so. If you count the ‘pillars’ carefully, you will only find 6 of them!” (Wadi Rum, Ruth Caswell)
Interesting facts and it's a place I would love to visit.
ReplyDeleteI guess we will never think of Wadi Rum without remembering Peter O'Toole. Thank you for this timely post.
ReplyDeleteYou were lucky to be in the real place.
Dina - It was posted on purpose...
ReplyDeleteVP, yes, of course on purpose.
ReplyDeleteJust today I learned that the title comes from Proverbs 9:1: “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars.”
ReplyDelete