The Temenos Gate, located at the western end of Colonnaded Street, was most likely built during Emperor Trajan's rule in the second century A.D. as a ceremonial entrance to the sacred precinct of the Qasr al-Bint Temple. It is typically Roman in plan and conception, and may have replaced an earlier Nabataean gate. The gateway complex featured three entrances: a large central bay and two smaller lateral ones. Its main east face was embellished with four freestanding projecting columns, and bore carved paneled decoration featuring busts of deities alternating with vegetation. The gate was built after the road had been paved. The gate led to the holy area around the temple, or ‘temenos, as it is called. Worshippers would be in the temenos area around the altar, which is in front of the temple.