Al-Khazneh (the Treasury), Petra, Jordan
© WitthayaP/Shutterstoc
A temple to treasure
Al-Khazneh, one of the ancient temples in Petra, Jordan, in Arabic translates to 'The Treasury.' For ages, Petra was hidden from the world, with only the Bedouin people aware of it because they lived in the surrounding desert. The Treasury was carved out of a single sandstone rock approximately 2,000 years ago by the Nabatean people, the original inhabitants of Petra. They were skilled architects who constructed an impressive network of cisterns, water channels, and other amenities. Al-Khazneh is the epitome of Nabatean architecture, standing almost 43 metres tall and has a mesmerisingly beautiful doorway with two towering columns and carvings that represent mythological creatures like sphinxes. It is believed that Nabatean King Aretas IV was laid to rest here.
Related Images
Bioluminescent algae along the shores of the Matsu Islands off the coast of Taiwan
La Digue, an island in the Seychelles
Mua Caves in the Ninh Bình province of Vietnam
Wildflowers in bloom at Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona
An old farm in the Shetland Islands, Scotland
For Waitangi Day, the Pancake Rocks on New Zealand’s South Island
Firefall at Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park, California
Shoreline near Tofino on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Bing Today Images
