Petra

Amy and I took a bus from Masada to Eilat and the next morning we took a day tour to Petra, which is in Jordan. Petra was unbelievable and jaw dropping. There is so much to explore as the city is about 20 square km with buildings carved out of the rockface. We only went to one main area with the main attraction being the treasury.

First look at the treasury

The treasury

As described by the sign:
Al-Khazna (Pharaoh's Treasury):
It is the most perfect facade in Petra. It is situated at the end of the Siq, with a height of 39.5 meters. The lower level is decorated with six Corinthian capitals that are spanned by a frieze of griffins and vases among scolls. A vegetation goddess is carved in the central tempanon. The upper order consists of a central kiosk decorated with the relief of Isis and flanked by dancing Amazons and Victories. The kiosk is crowned by a captial supporting a funerary urn that was supposed to conceal Pharaoh's treasures according to local tradition. Although the original function is still a mystery, the Khazna is believed by many Archaeologists to be the mausoleum of King Artas IV (9BC-AD 40). Recently, three Nabataeans tombs were under covered below the Khazna. They belong to the end of the first century BC.

The Nabataeans built many of these caves for their dead in the second century. Later the Romans found the city and made additions, one of which was an amphitheater. We spent about 4 hours in Petra - It was enough for one day, but I could definitely go back for 3 or 4 full days of touring.

The Roman Amphitheater