Floor mosaics of Petra Church, also known as the Byzantine Church.

© Francesco Lorenzetti/Getty Images/iStock

Petra Church


An awning covers the remains of Petra Church (also known as the Byzantine Church). Inside the church are some exquisite Byzantine floor mosaics, some of the best in the region. The mosaics originally continued up the walls. A helpful map and explanations in English are also located inside the church.

The structure was originally built by the Nabataeans, and then redesigned and expanded by the Byzantines around AD 530. It eventually burned down, and was then destroyed by repeated earthquakes. It was recently restored by the American Center of Oriental Research in Amman.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Blue Church

0.04 MILES

Commanding good views of the central portion of Petra, the remains of this ruined church have a stone floor.

2. Nymphaeum

0.11 MILES

At the start of the Colonnaded Street, this public fountain was built in the 2nd century AD and fed by water channelled from the Siq. Little can be seen…

3. Royal Palace

0.12 MILES

In making your way up to the Temple of Winged Lions, you might wonder what the old pile of stones opposite represents. Spread over a broad platform, this…

4. Temple of the Winged Lions

0.12 MILES

The recently excavated Temple of the Winged Lions, built around AD 27, is named after the carved lions that once topped the capitals of each of the…

5. Middle Market

0.14 MILES

It is likely that the shops of the upper market would have continued along this portion of the Colonnaded Street.

7. Colonnaded Street

0.16 MILES

Downhill from the Theatre, the Colonnaded Street marks the centre of the Ancient City. The street was built around AD 106 and follows the standard Roman…

8. Upper Market

0.16 MILES

Shops would have lined the Colonnaded Street along the front side of this colossal and as yet unexcavated building.