Al-Khazneh — The Treasury★★★
Al-Khazneh — The Iconic Treasury
The Treasury (Al-Khazneh, “the Pharaoh's Treasury”) is the most famous building in Jordan and the landmark of the entire country. The 40-meter high and 25-meter wide facade was carved directly from the rock face in the 1st century BC — an incredible feat considering the Nabataeans worked from top to bottom, without scaffolding, using only chisels and the naked eye for proportions.
The name “Treasury” comes from a Bedouin legend that claims the urn at the top of the facade hides the treasure of a pharaoh — the bullet holes in the urn are from Bedouins trying to shoot the treasure free. In truth, Al-Khazneh was likely a royal tomb, possibly for the Nabataean King Aretas IV (9 BC – 40 AD).
The Hellenistic-influenced facade features Corinthian columns, eagle figures, Amazons, and the goddess Isis — a fascinating mix of Greek, Egyptian, and Nabataean art. Depending on the time of day, the color of the sandstone changes from pale pink (morning) to bright orange (noon) to deep red (afternoon).
Petra by Night: On three evenings a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday), the path from the Siq to the Treasury is illuminated by 1,500 candles. Sitting in front of the facade, you hear Bedouin music while the candlelight dances on the sandstone. 17 JOD entrance, start 8:30 PM, duration 2 hours. Reservation recommended.
