The Siq is a natural sandstone gorge that gently winds towards the ancient city of Petra for just over two kilometers until it opens on to the magnificent Treasury. A triumphal arch once spanned the entrance to the Siq, but this collapsed in 1895.
On either side of the arch there were niches where busts of the king or emperor were placed. As one walks through, two water channels can be seen that run on each side, they held clay pipes that carried fresh water to the city from springs. Parts of the original paved road can be seen along the Siq. In its day, Petra was bustling city that witnessed a constant procession of travelers, visitors and pilgrims, who passed along the same path on takes now. In niches and “god blocks”(baetyls) carved throughout the Siq can be seen, that protected those entering and leaving. Text from notice on site. Nowadays people travel the distance on foot, or in one of the horse drawn carts running up and down the Siq. The light varies all the time, partly due to the sun being in different spots, partly due to the reflection of its light from the rocks that have a colour of themselves. Some picture may be slightly off colour due to my inexperience handling such complex lights, partly because I walked the Siq at different times, sky sometimes being slightly overcast, sometimes clear.