The Great Temple
Hokkaido Region
The Great Temple at Petra is a vast monumental complex located south of the Colonnaded Street, covering approximately 7,560 square meters. Constructed likely in the early first century AD during the reign of Nabataean king Aretas IV, the complex occupies a prominent position within ancient Petra, overlooking key city landmarks such as the Siq, Qasr al-Bint, and the Lower Market. Architecturally, the temple is rectangular and aligned northeast–southwest, featuring a grand stairway leading to the Propylaeum and two exedra on either side. The temple's facade originally had four tall frontal columns painted in vivid colors contrasting the sandstone surroundings, and inside, a theater-like theatron with seating for around 600 dominates the interior. Water management was integral, with large cisterns and a subterranean canalization system connecting to the city's water network. Excavations have uncovered spectacular artifacts, including elephant-headed capitals and limestone relief panels depicting mythological figures, as well as coins, lamps, and Roman glass. However, scholarly debate continues about the building's exact function, with some suggesting it was not a traditional temple due to the absence of a canonical cella and the presence of the theater-like structure.
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Astuce: Visitors should explore the Great Temple during the cooler morning hours to avoid heat and crowds. Advance tickets for Petra are recommended, as they often include access to the Great Temple site. Comfortable footwear is advised due to uneven terrain and stairways. Guided tours provide valuable context for the complex's architecture and archaeological finds. Check opening times and seasonal schedules before visiting.
Faits intéressants
- •The Great Temple complex covers about 7,560 square meters, making it one of the largest structures in Petra.
- •Two large cisterns with a combined capacity of nearly 386,000 liters supplied water through an advanced subterranean canal system.
- •Excavations uncovered unique elephant-headed capitals, a rare architectural feature representing four elephant heads replacing Ionic volutes.
- •The temple features a theater-like structure with approximately 600 seats inside, unusual for a traditional temple layout.
- •Limestone relief panels found depict mythological figures possibly linked to Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, and Fortuna.
Histoire
The Great Temple was likely completed in the early first century AD under Nabataean king Aretas IV.
Initial superficial explorations were conducted in the 1890s by German archaeologists BrĂĽnnow and von Domaszewski, with Walter Bachmann identifying the site by its current name in 1921.
Systematic archaeological excavations began in 1993 under Martha Sharp Joukowsky, which uncovered key architectural features and artifacts.
Over centuries, the complex underwent modifications, including changes to the monumental stairway and integration with Petra's Colonnaded Street around 76 CE.
Guide du lieu
Propylaeum and Monumental Stairway1st century AD
The grand entrance to the Great Temple, featuring an 8-meter ascent via a wide stairway altered during the temple's and Colonnaded Street's construction phases. It connects the Lower and Upper Temenos areas and is flanked by two semicircular exedra with benches.
Theatron (Theater-like Structure)1st century AD
Dominating the temple's interior beyond the Upper Temenos, this theater-like space seats about 600 and features traces of gold leaf and colored stucco decoration, suggesting ceremonial or communal functions.
Elephant-headed Capitals1st century AD
Spectacular architectural capitals carved with four elephant heads replacing typical Ionic volutes, discovered near the Lower Temenos in 2000. These unique elements highlight Nabataean artistic creativity.
Water Cisterns and Canalization System1st century AD
Two large cisterns with capacities of approximately 59,000 and 327,000 liters fed a subterranean canal system running the length of the temple, connecting to Petra's citywide water distribution network.