The most famous and iconic landmark of Petra is Al-Khazneh, better known as The Treasury. This 39-meter-tall facade, intricately carved directly into the rose-red sandstone cliff, is the first major monument visitors see as they emerge from the narrow, winding gorge known as the Siq. While its name suggests a place for gold, scholars believe it was actually a royal tomb for the Nabataean King Aretas IV in the 1st century AD. Its Hellenistic-style architecture features Corinthian columns and ornate carvings of mythological figures. In 2026, it remains a global symbol of Jordan, popularized further by its appearance in films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. While the Ad-Deir (The Monastery) is larger and requires a much longer hike to reach, "The Treasury" remains the quintessential image of Petra, especially during the "Petra by Night" experience when it is illuminated by thousands of flickering candles beneath the desert stars.