Facade Tombs

The Facade Tombs in Petra, often called the Street of Facades, are a row of monumental rock-cut tombs carved into the cliffs just beyond the Siq and the Treasury. Their tall, elaborate fronts—some over 20 meters high—feature Nabataean architectural elements blended with Hellenistic and Roman styles, such as columns, niches, and decorative crowns. These tombs were likely built for Petra’s elite in the 1st century CE and served both as burial places and symbols of status, showcasing the city’s wealth and artistry. Today, the weathered sandstone gives them a rich palette of reds, oranges, and golds, especially striking in the afternoon light.