Temenos Gateway

Petra, Jordan

The remains of a triple-arched monumental gateway separate the Colonnaded Street (Petra's main street) from the temenos (sacred precinct) of Qasr al-Bint. The west face of the gateway is viewed here, from inside the temenos. The buildings to the right are traditionally interpreted as "baths," although this has been disputed (Jordan Past and Present, p. 24).

The Nabataean main street runs east-west, both here and at Bostra, contrary to the north-south orientation of the typical Roman cardo.