What is it
Nabataean Ancient city
Where is it
Jordan, 3-5 hours south of Amman, 2 hours north of Aqaba
Did you know?
Petra is an abandoned necropolis of temples and tombs cut into towering cliffs of red sandstone ? (more facts)
A little more on the Petra
Built around the 6th Century BC, Petra was a magnificent Nabataean city, which rose to great heights due to its proximity to a stable water supply, rich agricultural and grazing lands and caravan routes. The city, much of it carved into the salmon sandstone slopes of Mount Hor, contains tombs, temples and palaces. Its only entrance is through a 1km long, narrow gorge or Siq, making it highly defensible. However, this didn’t stop it falling under Roman rule in 106 AD.
The Romans added impressive amphitheatres, fountains, temples and sacrificial alters. Then, in the 6th Century AD it faced decline due to changing of the caravan routes and damage to the water supply by a major earthquake. After its capture by Saladin in 1189 the city was left unknown to the western world. It was not until 1812 that Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, disguised as an Arab rediscovered it. In 1929 excavations began, after which Petra slowly become known to the western world. Its feature in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and recent inclusion to the New Seven Wonders of the World, have made this travel wonder more popular than ever.
Petra is best seen in the morning or late afternoon, when it’s cooler and the light reflects the salmon colour of the stones, adding depth and richness to any photograph. Allow at least two days if you wish to fully explore and get the most out of this amazing site.
