HeritagePhoto Wikimedia CommonsThe Treasury
Jordan
Al-Khazneh is one of the most elaborate temples in Petra, a city of the Nabatean Kingdom inhabited by the Arabs in ancient times. As with most of the other buildings in this ancient town, including the Monastery (Arabic: Ad Deir), this structure was carved out of a sandstone rock face.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the threshold of the Rose City. As you emerge from the cool, shadowy depths of the Siq, the narrow sandstone walls suddenly peel back to reveal one of the most breathtaking sights in the ancient world: Al Khazneh, or…
Listen in the app2The Siq: Nature’s Defensive Corridor
To understand the Treasury, one must first appreciate the journey through the Siq. This is not a random gorge but a natural geological split in the sandstone mountain, shaped by tectonic forces and later refined by the Nabataeans. …
Listen in the app3Architectural Fusion: The Facade’s Hidden Language
The Treasury’s facade is a stunning example of cultural fusion, reflecting Petra’s status as a global trading hub. As you look up, you see Corinthian columns that evoke the grandeur of Hellenistic Greece. …
Listen in the app4The Legend of the Pharaoh’s Urn
High atop the Treasury's facade, crowning the central tholos, sits a massive stone urn. This single decorative element is the source of the building's Arabic name, Al-Khazneh. …
Listen in the app5The Interior: A Silent Chamber for a King
While the exterior of the Treasury is a riot of ornamentation, the interior is surprisingly stark. Visitors are no longer permitted to enter, but looking through the massive doorway reveals a large, square central hall flanked by…
Listen in the app6The Upper Viewpoints: A Bird's Eye Perspective
For those willing to endure a steep climb, the Treasury offers perspectives that no postcard can replicate. There are two main viewpoints: the 'middle level' and the 'high level.' From these vantage points, the scale of the…
Listen in the app7The Theater and the Street of Facades
Just a short walk from the Treasury, the valley opens up into the 'Street of Facades.' This area is a transition from the royal funerary district to the civic heart of Petra. The cliffs here are honeycombed with hundreds of…
Listen in the app8Closing
As you prepare to leave the Treasury and venture deeper into Petra, take one last look at that magnificent facade. It has stood for two thousand years, surviving earthquakes, flash floods, and the rise and fall of empires. …
Listen in the app
What is The Treasury?
The Treasury is a place in Jordan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Jordan |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 30.3221, 35.4517 |
| Last updated |
