Street of Facades | Petra

Information

Landmark: Street of Facades
City: Petra
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Street of Facades, Petra, Jordan, Asia

The Street of Facades is a row of Nabataean tombs carved into the sandstone cliffs of the Siq, located within the Petra Archaeological Park in southern Jordan. It connects the main Siq passage to the city’s center, situated immediately past the Treasury.

Visual Characteristics

The structures consist of over 40 tombs and houses carved directly into vertical rose-red and ochre sandstone walls. The architecture features Assyrian-style "crowstep" crenellations at the top of the facades, simple rectangular doorways, and multiple levels of burial chambers. Erosion has smoothed many of the sharp geometric lines, revealing variegated mineral bands in the rock.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located 2 kilometers from the Petra Visitor Center in Wadi Musa. Access is strictly on foot, by donkey, or via electric carts through the 1.2-kilometer Siq gorge. From Amman, the site is reached via the Desert Highway or Kings' Highway, a roughly 3-hour drive; parking is available at the main entrance in Wadi Musa.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The facades were carved between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD by the Nabataean Kingdom. These structures served as burial sites for high-ranking officials and merchants, reflecting the wealth generated by the incense and spice trade routes.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can inspect the interior burial chambers and observe the transition from Nabataean to Roman architectural influences. Photography of the upper tiers is possible from the valley floor. Guided walking tours follow the main path directly past the facades toward the Theater.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There is no shade within the Street of Facades itself; visitors must rely on the cliff shadows. Restrooms and small kiosks selling water are located 200 meters further at the Theater and the basin area. 4G cell signal is intermittent due to the canyon walls.

Best Time to Visit

Optimal lighting for photography occurs in the early morning (08:00–10:00) when the sun hits the southern cliffs, or late afternoon when the sandstone glows deep red. The months of March to May and September to November offer temperate conditions for the 4-kilometer round-trip trek.

Facts & Legends

Local tradition suggests that some of the smaller, higher openings were used by guards to monitor the city entrance, though archaeological evidence confirms their primary function as funerary monuments for middle-class Nabataeans.