The Street of Façades
50 BC – AD 50
This section of the outer approach is known as the “Street of Façades,” named for the numerous carefully carved tombs lining the rock faces along the mountainside. These façades display harmonious architectural forms that vary in size, decoration, and degree of craftsmanship, creating a unique streetscape that blends grandeur with solemnity. While most façades share a common general style characterized by straight, balanced lines, they differ in fine artistic details that distinguish each tomb from the others.
The façades are arranged along both sides of the street in a visually striking sequence, appearing like a row of stone buildings despite being entirely carved into the mountains. This artistic approach is believed to reflect the social status of the tomb owners, as rock carving required advanced engineering expertise, substantial labor, and skilled craftsmen capable of designing and executing architectural patterns, niches, and decorative elements with remarkable precision.
Archaeological studies indicate that the carving of these façades extended over successive periods, particularly during the sixth and seventh centuries BC. Researchers have identified some tombs dating to an early phase, with evidence suggesting that certain Nabataean tombs were constructed around 124 BC during the reign of a Nabataean king, demonstrating the depth of human settlement in the area and the early development of rock-cut architecture.
The façades along this street represent a prominent example of Nabataean architectural creativity, clearly blending Assyrian, Hellenistic, and Roman influences alongside distinctive local elements that set Nabataean architecture apart. This is evident in the columns, carved friezes, balanced massing, and symbolic motifs reflecting Nabataean beliefs concerning life and death.
Beyond its historical significance, the Street of Façades stands as a testament to the interaction between humans and the natural environment. The Nabataeans transformed rugged rocky mountains into living architectural compositions that narrate an important chapter of the region’s history and civilization.