Treasury.

Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury, is the definitive image of Petra, famously revealed at the end of the Siq’s narrow, mile-long sandstone gorge. Carved directly into the rose-red cliffside during the 1st century AD, the 39-meter-high facade is a masterclass in Nabataean engineering, blending Hellenistic columns and Egyptian motifs with local artistry. While its name stems from a legend that an Egyptian pharaoh hid riches in the top stone urn—marked today by bullet holes from those who tried to crack it open—archaeological evidence suggests it was originally a royal tomb for King Aretas IV. Visitors cannot enter the inner chambers, but the exterior remains remarkably preserved, sheltered from the elements by the canyon walls. For the best light, arrive mid-morning when the sun hits the sandstone, turning the entire monument a vivid orange-pink.