Temple of Dushares, Petra

Welcome to the magnificent and enigmatic center of ancient Petra. You are standing before one of the most remarkable and resilient structures in the entire ancient world. …

Our journey into the sacred precinct begins here, at the monumental threshold known as the Temenos Gate. As we walk along the remnants of the Colonnaded Street, often referred to as the Roman Cardo, we are tracing the exact…

Having passed through the monumental boundary of the Temenos Gate, we now stand in the vast, open expanse of the sacred precinct, known to archaeologists as the Temenos. This immense courtyard was the primary gathering place for…

We now stand directly before the breathtaking, towering facade of Qasr al Bint. Prepare to be absolutely overwhelmed by its staggering dimensions. …

Before we can cross the sacred threshold into the temple proper, we must ascend the magnificent sweeping approach known as the Great Staircase. Consisting of exactly twenty six wide, perfectly proportioned steps, this monumental…

Having successfully ascended the great staircase, we now step across the massive threshold and enter the Pronaos, or the grand vestibule of the temple. The immediate, jarring transition from the blinding, oppressive heat of the…

We have finally reached the absolute, profound heart of the temple complex: the Cella, or the inner sanctum. This is the most sacred, heavily restricted space within the entire building, a deeply shadowed chamber where only the…

As we explore the inner sanctum, we must turn our attention to the incredibly thick, massive lateral walls that flank the main Cella. Hidden brilliantly within the immense masonry of these side walls are the remnants of a highly…

As we step out of the deep, lingering shadows of the inner sanctuary and make our way back down the great monumental staircase, we return to the blinding, bright light of the Temenos courtyard. Take a few moments to turn back and…