In general, the temple precinct is oriented northeast-by-southwest. Nabataean temples are typically oriented according to the terrain. The area designated for construction was leveled, and the temple was placed above the street, connecting the precincts, the major thoroughfare of the central city and the Wadi Musa (a dry watercourse). If the Great Temple is 19 m in height as we suppose it is, the temple would have stood some 34 m above the Colonnaded Street.