Treasury of Petra (Al-Khazneh)

Treasury of Petra (Al-Khazneh)

Introduction Walking through the Siq into Petra, the first sight that greets you is the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh. This "Treasure House" is the most magnificent ruin in Petra, with a 43-meter-high and 30-meter-wide façade carved entirely out of rose-colored rock. It's hard to define whether it’s architecture or sculpture. This is a Roman Corinthian-style temple, featuring majestic columns and intricate carvings. There are four legends about the purpose of this mysterious edifice: 1. A treasury used by the Nabataeans to store vast riches looted from Egypt; 2. The tomb of a Nabataean king; 3. A temple dedicated to Isis, the Egyptian goddess of fertility; 4. The treasure cave from *Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves*, where one must say "Open Sesame" to gain entry. The last one was likely inspired by the "Siq", but for sheer imagination, nothing beats *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*: the temple is said to house the Holy Grail of Jesus, and drinking from it grants eternal life...

Aqaba, Jordan