Editing Petra (section)

=== City centre ===
[[file:Amphitheatre, Petra, Jordan1.jpg|thumb|The Theatre]]

At the end of the narrow gorge, the [[Siq]], stands Petra's most elaborate ruin, popularly known as [[Al-Khazneh]] ("the Treasury"), hewn into the sandstone cliff. While remaining in remarkably preserved condition, the face of the structure is marked by hundreds of bullet holes made by the local Bedouin tribes that hoped to dislodge riches that were once rumoured to be hidden within it.<ref name="Fulford97"/> A little farther from the Treasury, at the foot of the mountain called ''en-Nejr'', is a massive [[Theater (structure)|theatre]], positioned so as to bring the greatest number of [[tomb]]s within view. At the point where the valley opens out into the plain, the site of the city is revealed with striking effect. The theatre was cut into the hillside and into several of the tombs during its construction. Rectangular gaps in the seating are still visible. Almost enclosing it on three sides are rose-coloured mountain walls, divided into groups by deep fissures and lined with knobs cut from the rock in the form of towers.<ref name=EB1911/> The theatre  was said to hold around 8,500 people.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Theatre {{!}} Jordan Attractions|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/jordan/the-ancient-city/attractions/theatre/a/poi-sig/1446303/1332397|access-date=2021-12-03|website=Lonely Planet|language=en}}</ref> The performances that audiences were able to attend here were poetry readings and dramas. [[Gladiator]] fights were also said to be held here and attracted the most audience, although no gladiator was able to gain any momentum or fame due to the heavy mortality rate that came with it. The theatre was one of many structures in Petra that took significant damage due to the [[363 Galilee earthquake]].<ref name=":4" />
[[File:Ornamental Garden and Pool Complex (12294195964).jpg|thumb|[[Petra Pool and Garden Complex]]]]

The [[Petra Pool and Garden Complex]] is a series of structures within the city center. Originally said to be a market area,<ref>{{Cite book|title=Petra, vol 3. Wissenschaftliche Vero¨ffentlichungen des Deutsch-Turkischen Denkmalschutz-Kommandos 3.|last=Bachmann, W., Watzinger, C. Wiegand, T.|publisher=De Gruyter|year=1921|location=Berlin|pages=37–41}}</ref> excavations at the site have allowed scholars to identify it as an elaborate Nabataean garden, which included a large swimming pool, an island-pavilion, and an intricate hydraulic system.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Petra Pool-Complex: a Hellenistic Paradeisos in the Nabataean Capital|last=Bedal, L-A|publisher=Gorgias Press|year=2004|location=Piscataway (NJ)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bedal L-A, Gleason K. L., Schryver J. G.|date=2007|title=The Petra Garden and Pool Complex, 2003–2005|journal=Annu Dep Antiq Jordan|volume=51|pages=151–176}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bedal L-A, Schryver J. G., Gleason K. L.|date=2011|title=The Petra Garden and Pool Complex, 2007 and 2009 field seasons.|journal=Annu Dep Antiq Jordan|volume=55|pages=313–328}}</ref>

Ahead of the Petra Pool and Garden Complex lies Colonnaded street, which is among few artifacts of Petra that was constructed rather than natural. This street used to hold a semi-circle [[nymphaeum]], which is now in ruins due to flash flooding, and used to hold Petra's only tree. This was intended to be a symbol for the peaceful atmosphere that the Nabataens were able to construct in Petra. Once the Romans took control of the city, Colonnaded street was narrowed to make room for a side walk, and 72 columns were added to each side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/archaeology/the-ancient-city-of-petra2|title=The Ancient City of Petra &#124; AMNH}}</ref>