The Treasury of Petra is the most photographed structure in the Petra Archaeological Park in Jordan. This incredible facade was carved from red cliffs by the Nabataean people about 2,000 years ago. The Treasury was not a treasury - but a mausoleum for the 1st century AD Nabatean King Aretas IV, later used as a place of worship. But it got its name from the Bedouins who lived in the area in the 19th century and thought the structure holds a hidden treasure.
The Petra Treasury
It is an iconic structure, one that you will never forget. And if it looks familiar, it could be from the movie Indiana Jones and the Lost Crusade.
Pro Tip: One of the best photo angles of the Treasury can be found just before you exit the main path, by framing the structure by the cliffs; Keep reading and see how it's done.
The city of Petra was built as early as the 4th century BC by the Nabataean people, a nomadic and mysterious Arab tribe. Petra was an essential stop along the ancient trade routes through Arabia and at its peak, Petra was home to about 20,000 inhabitants. The Roman Empire reached the region, and Petra was eventually annexed by the Romans in about 106 AD. The Treasury is believed to have been built in the 1st century AD when the city would have already been exposed to Greek and Roman architectural styles.
A view from the neighboring ridge
Of all the structures that the Nabataeans carved out of the cliffs in Petra, the Treasury is perhaps the most impressive and a feat of ancient engineering. After the decline of the Nabataean city, it was forgotten until being rediscovered in 1812 by the Swiss explorer Burckhardt. By the 1920s Petra was already a popular tourist attraction for Europeans.
The Treasury has a mix of several architectural styles which was typical of Nabataean architecture in the 1st century. You can spot elements of Egyptian, Roman, Greek, and Syrian architecture in the Treasury. Pro Tip: Spot the reliefs of the Egyptian goddess Isis, the Greek goddess Nike, and Dioscuri from Greco-Roman mythology.
The exterior view of the Treasury is the best-known part of the structure. It is two stories high and measured 39m tall and 25.3m-wide. The facade features Corinthian capitals, intricate carvings, and friezes of mythical figures. Bedouin tradition holds that the stone urn above the entrance contained great treasures of a pharaoh. You can spot bullet holes in the stone urn from past attempts to shoot down the urn to get the legendary treasure.
Use the cliffs in your composition
Unfortunately, you can’t go inside the treasury at petra. In the past, it was possible to enter the Treasury but to protect it from the hordes of tourists it is now off-limits. But don’t worry, the facade is the best bit. Inside the Treasury is the tomb of Nabataean King Aretas IV and a plain main chamber, flanked by two smaller chambers and an antechamber.
The Best Way to See the Treasury at Petra
As mentioned, get there as early as you can. If you’re on a tour from Israel you’ll probably arrive at a reasonable time. The Treasury is about 1.2km from the Petra Visitor Center at the end of the narrow gorge called the Siq. It is the first structure you see as you emerge from the Siq.
Pro Tip: you can get the perfect Instagram shot from above by following one of the two paths up to the cliffs above. Treasury Viewpoint #1 (the official path) is a 1.5hrs hike and starts at the Royal Tombs. Treasury Viewpoint #2 is the shorter, but a more precarious path. The path starts to the left of the Treasury. It is a 20-30 minute walk to the top. This can be a dangerous route so be warned!
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