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Al-Khazneh (das Schatzhaus) ist das
berühmteste und ikonischste Bauwerk in der antiken Stadt Petra in
Jordanien. Es ist ein Meisterwerk der nabatäischen Architektur und eines
der bekanntesten Wahrzeichen des Nahen Ostens. Al-Khazneh wurde direkt
aus dem rosaroten Sandsteinfelsen gemeißelt und ist ein beeindruckendes
Beispiel für die handwerkliche und künstlerische Fähigkeit der Nabatäer.
Bedeutung von Al-Khazneh:
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Name: Der Name "Al-Khazneh" bedeutet auf Arabisch
"Schatzhaus". Der Name stammt von der lokalen Legende, dass ein
Pharao seinen Schatz in der Urne oben auf der Fassade versteckt
habe. Tatsächlich war Al-Khazneh jedoch wahrscheinlich ein Mausoleum
oder eine Grabstätte für einen nabatäischen König.
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Zweck: Es wird angenommen, dass Al-Khazneh im 1.
Jahrhundert n. Chr. als Grabmal für den nabatäischen König Aretas
IV. errichtet wurde. Später könnte es auch als
Tempel oder Zeremonialgebäude gedient haben.
Architektonische Merkmale:
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Fassade: Die Fassade ist etwa 40 Meter hoch und 25
Meter breit und zeigt eine Mischung aus hellenistischen, ägyptischen
und nabatäischen Stilelementen. Sie ist reich verziert mit Säulen,
Statuen, Reliefs und symbolischen Figuren.
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Urne: Die große Urne oben auf der Fassade ist eines
der markantesten Merkmale. Sie trägt Spuren von Einschüssen, da
Beduinen früher glaubten, sie enthalte einen Schatz.
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Innenraum: Der Innenraum ist relativ schlicht und
besteht aus drei Kammern. Im Vergleich zur aufwendigen Fassade ist
das Innere eher schmucklos.
Besuch von Al-Khazneh:
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Ankunft durch den Siq: Der Weg zum Schatzhaus führt
durch den engen, langen Siq, eine
spektakuläre Schlucht, die den Blick auf Al-Khazneh langsam
freigibt. Der erste Anblick der Fassade am Ende des Siq ist ein
unvergessliches Erlebnis.
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Beste Besuchszeit: Früh am Morgen oder am späten
Nachmittag, wenn das Sonnenlicht die rosaroten Felsen zum Leuchten
bringt und die Fassade in warmen Farbtönen erstrahlt.
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Fotografie: Al-Khazneh ist ein beliebtes Fotomotiv.
Besonders beeindruckend ist der Kontrast zwischen der monumentalen
Fassade und den umliegenden Felswänden.
Legenden und Mythen:
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Schatzhaus-Legende: Wie bereits erwähnt, glaubten
die Beduinen, dass die Urne auf der Fassade einen Schatz enthalte.
Dies führte dazu, dass die Urne beschädigt wurde, als Menschen
versuchten, sie zu zerstören, um an den vermeintlichen Schatz zu
gelangen.
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Filmkulisse: Al-Khazneh erlangte weltweite
Bekanntheit durch den Film "Indiana Jones und
der letzte Kreuzzug", in dem es als Versteck des Heiligen
Grals diente.
Tipps für Besucher:
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Früh ankommen: Um die Menschenmassen zu vermeiden
und das beste Licht für Fotos zu nutzen.
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Führung buchen: Ein lokaler Guide kann die
Geschichte und Bedeutung von Al-Khazneh und Petra lebendig werden
lassen.
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Wasser und Sonnenschutz: Da Petra in einer heißen
und trockenen Region liegt, ist es wichtig, ausreichend Wasser und
Sonnenschutz mitzunehmen.
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Weiter erkunden: Al-Khazneh ist nur der Anfang von
Petra. Die antike Stadt bietet noch viele weitere Sehenswürdigkeiten
wie das Kloster (Ad-Deir), das römische
Theater und zahlreiche Felsengräber.
Al-Khazneh ist nicht nur ein architektonisches Wunder, sondern auch ein
Symbol für die kulturelle und historische Bedeutung Petras. Es ist ein
Muss für jeden Besucher Jordaniens und ein Highlight jeder Reise in den
Nahen Osten.
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Al-Khazneh, often referred
to as the Treasury, is
one of the most famous and iconic landmarks in
Petra, Jordan. It is
considered one of the greatest archaeological treasures of the ancient
world, celebrated for its stunning architectural design and its
enigmatic history. Here's an in-depth look at
Al-Khazneh and its
significance:
Overview of Al-Khazneh (The
Treasury):
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Al-Khazneh is a
monumental structure carved into the sandstone cliffs of
Petra, the ancient
capital of the Nabatean
Kingdom. The building is renowned for its grandeur,
intricate carvings, and its stunning location at the end of the
Siq, the narrow
gorge that serves as the main entrance to Petra.
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The name "Al-Khazneh"
translates to "The Treasury" in Arabic, and it is so named because,
for many centuries, local legends believed the structure contained
treasure. Some
thought that the ornate urn at the top of the building held
gold, but there is
no evidence of this, and it was more likely a symbolic feature.
Historical Significance:
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Nabatean Architecture:
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Al-Khazneh
was built during the
1st century CE by the
Nabateans, an
ancient Arab people who controlled Petra and its surrounding
regions. The Nabateans were renowned for their ability to carve
structures into rock and for their advanced
water management
systems that allowed Petra to flourish in a desert
environment.
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The exact purpose
of Al-Khazneh
remains uncertain, but most scholars agree that it was a
mausoleum (a
tomb) for a Nabatean king, likely
Aretas IV,
who ruled from 9 BCE
to 40 CE. The grandeur and the intricate details of the
monument indicate its use as a royal burial site.
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Architectural Design:
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Al-Khazneh is
carved into the rose-red sandstone cliffs, and its facade
measures about 25
meters (82 feet) wide and
39 meters (128 feet)
high, making it one of the most impressive facades in Petra.
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The design blends
Hellenistic
and Nabatean
styles. The facade is richly adorned with classical
Greek-inspired columns, Corinthian capitals, and decorative
features such as vines,
eagles, and
mythological figures.
However, these elements are uniquely adapted to the Nabatean
culture, which combined local traditions with influences from
Greek and Roman architecture.
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The structure is
arranged in three
levels, with the main
doorway at
the base, flanked by massive columns. Above the doorway is a
large urn
that was thought to contain treasure in local legend, and above
that, various niches and carvings represent gods and other
mythological figures.
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The Facade and Symbolism:
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The most notable
feature of Al-Khazneh
is its elaborate
façade, which features a blend of
Hellenistic,
Egyptian, and
Nabatean
architectural influences. The
ornate carvings
and the large sculpted
urn are believed to have religious and symbolic
significance.
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The urn at the top
is often associated with the idea of
treasure, but
more importantly, it likely had a symbolic role in the burial
rituals of the time, perhaps representing a
divine connection
or an offering to the gods.
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The intricate
carvings of deities and figures are thought to have had
spiritual significance,
reflecting the mix of cultures that influenced the Nabateans.
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Myth and Legend:
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Al-Khazneh
earned the name "Treasury" due to
local legends
that claimed treasure, especially gold, was hidden within the
urn at the top of the building. Some believed that the urn had
been used as a place
to hide treasure, but
archaeologists
have found no evidence of this.
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During the
19th century,
Bedouin tribes believed that the urn contained treasures from
the past and sometimes shot at the urn to try to access the
hidden wealth. Today, the urn is well preserved and remains one
of the most recognizable features of Petra.
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Function and Use:
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Most likely,
Al-Khazneh
was a mausoleum,
serving as a royal tomb for the Nabatean kings. The monumental
scale and intricate details suggest it was intended to honor the
deceased in an elaborate manner, befitting the importance of the
person buried there.
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The tomb may have
included burial chambers that were either inside the structure
or beneath it. However, no human remains have been found inside
the building itself, indicating that the tomb may have been
looted long ago, possibly by later invaders or by the local
Bedouins.
Visiting Al-Khazneh:
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Approach:
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To reach
Al-Khazneh,
visitors first walk through the
Siq, the
narrow, winding gorge leading to Petra. The Siq is a dramatic
entrance, with its towering sandstone walls and winding path,
building anticipation as visitors approach the Treasury.
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Once you exit the
Siq, the Treasury appears in full view, and the contrast between
the dark, narrow gorge and the bright, open space before the
Treasury is awe-inspiring.
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Tourism and Activities:
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Al-Khazneh is
the most famous and frequently visited monument in Petra. It is
often the first major stop for visitors, and the view of the
Treasury from the end of the Siq is one of the highlights of a
visit to Petra.
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Visitors can
explore the area around
Al-Khazneh
and take in the intricate details of the facade. However, the
interior of Al-Khazneh
is not open to the public, as it is considered a tomb, and there
is no public access to the interior chambers.
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Petra by Night
is a unique experience where visitors can walk through the Siq
and arrive at the Treasury, lit by
thousands of candles.
The atmosphere is magical and offers a different perspective of
the site.
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Best Time to Visit:
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The best times to
visit Al-Khazneh
and Petra are
during the spring
(March to May) and
autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild
and comfortable for walking and exploring.
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The
summer months
can be quite hot in the desert, so early mornings and late
afternoons are ideal for exploring Petra and the Treasury.
Summary:
Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)
is one of the most extraordinary and captivating monuments in the
ancient city of Petra.
Its grand facade,
intricate carvings, and rich history make it an iconic symbol of the
Nabatean civilization
and a testament to their
advanced engineering and
artistic skills.
While its exact purpose remains a mystery, it is most likely a
royal mausoleum, with
later legends adding to its allure as a
treasure-filled tomb.
Visiting the Treasury is a highlight of any trip to
Petra, offering both
historical insight and
breathtaking beauty.
Would you like to know
more about other monuments in
Petra, the history of
the Nabateans, or tips for
planning your visit
to Petra?
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Safaris
Bergsteigen
Wandern
Insewandern Weltweit
Europa
Inselwandern
Städtewandern
Paintings
Dirk Rauschenbach
Mail ccooly(
at) web.de
24.03.25 Copyright Dirk
Rauschenbach Koelnerstrasse 293 51702 Bergneustadt
Datenschutzerklaerung 02261 9788972 Mail ccooly(
at) web.de