Petra Treasury

The famous facade commonly called "The Treasury" is actually known as Al-Khazneh by the local population. It earned its "Treasury" nickname from an ancient local legend that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure in the massive stone urn at the top.

The Treasury was intricately carved directly into the vibrant red sandstone cliff face by the Nabataean Kingdom. It was likely constructed in the 1st century CE to serve as a royal tomb for an important Nabataean king, possibly King Aretas IV.

The Treasury's breathtaking facade was most famously featured at the climax of the 1989 film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." In the movie, it is depicted as the hidden entrance to the Canyon of the Crescent Moon, protecting the Holy Grail.

Despite its massive and impressive exterior, visitors are not permitted to go far inside the Petra Treasury. The interior is largely unadorned, consisting of a few small, empty chambers carved out of the rock, which pales in comparison to its spectacular exterior.