Page 105 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Israel & Petra

Petra ❮❮ 103

Camels resting in front of the Treasury façade
Treasury
Theater
2 4
MAP C3
MAP C3
Built in the 1st century BC, this is Scooped out of the hillside, this
one of the most incredible sights in Roman­style Nabataean theater has
the Middle East. Its sudden mate­ seating for 7,000 people. Above, you
rialization at the end of the Siq is can see the inside of several tombs,
unforgettable. The rose­pink façade, cut into when the theater was built
deeply recessed into the rock, is in the 1st century AD. Side tunnels
sharply chiseled into columns, two allowed access to the stage, hidden
half­pediments, and horned capitals. from the Outer Siq by a wall.
The interior is simple by comparison.
The Siq
An outer court leads to the inner 5
chamber with an ablution basin at MAP C3
the rear. Bedouins believed that the The winding fissure of the Siq makes
urn on top of the Treasury contained entering Petra truly romantic. In
the hidden wealth of the pharaohs, places it is so narrow it feels cave­
so they shot at it in an attempt to like. Placing the Treasury at its exit
dislodge it – hence the bulllet marks. was a calcu lated move for maximum
visual impact. If you stay late at the
Museums
3 site, walking back at sunset is a real
highlight. The thrice­weekly night­
MAP C3
The Archeological Museum is time candlelit tours are magical.
located inside a cave­tomb and
displays relics excavated from the
region. Stone statuary includes the
elephant capitals used to decorate
buildings. The newer Nabataean
Museum puts the history of Petra
into context. Among the artifacts
displayed are jewelry, Edomite
pottery, water pipes, figurines, and
ancient coinage. Note the marble
basin with lioness handles that
was found inside Petra Church.
The Siq, leading to the Treasury

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