Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) at Petra

Al-Khazneh, widely known as the Treasury is an elaborate rock cut tomb in Petra, a city of the Nabatean Kingdom (312 BCE – 106 CE) located in Southern Jordan. Al-Khazneh is estimated to have been constructed during the reign of the Nabatean King Aretas IV of Philopatris (reigned approximately from 9 BCE to 40 CE). It was carved out of a sandstone rock face and is estimated to be almost 40 meters in height.

Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) at Petra

The first glimpse of Al-Khazneh upon exiting the Siq, the narrow gorge which leads visitors into Petra

The name Treasury is attributed to the legends surrounding the urn made of sandstone which sits high on the second level of the monument. The local Bedouins believed that the urn contained treasures. This myth is linked to the biblical legend of Moses and the Israelites escaping from Egypt. As per the local belief, the Egyptian Pharaoh and at least part of his army escaped the closing of the Dead Sea and continued after Moses. The Pharaoh who had initially insisted on carrying his treasury had later realized it was slowing him down during the pursuit, is believed to have magically created the monument and placed his wealth in the urn at the top of the monument. This legend has resulted in the top of the monument being covered with bullet marks fired by locals trying to get their hands on the lost treasure of the biblical Pharaoh who chased Moses.  

The urn made of sandstone which sits high on the second level of the monument

Al-Khazneh gained worldwide attention in the 20^th Century CE, when it appeared in the 1989 film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, in which its’ facade is depicted to be the entrance to the final resting place of the Holy Grail.

In reality, Al-Khazneh may have been the mausoleum of King Aretas IV of Philopatris as opposed to being a structure housing the treasures of the biblical Pharaoh or the Holy Grail.

A substantial part of the architectural details of the monument have eroded over time. The entrance to the monument is flanked by two badly eroded statues of Castor and Pollux, the twin half-brothers in Greek and Roman mythology.

The eroded statues of Castor and Pollux at the entrance of Al-Khazneh

The figures on the upper level appear to be eroded statues of dancing Amazons.

The figures on the upper level of Al-Khazneh

Among the structures in Petra, Al-Khazneh is one of the most prolific tourist attractions. It is currently the primary location of the “Petra Night Show” which runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8.30 pm.

Al-Khazneh during the "Petra Night Show"