Where else on earth would you see a city carved out of rock which lies hidden behind a narrow chasm? The capital of the Nabataean Arabs, the city of Petra is certainly a wonder of the Arabian world. It is said to have been built in the 5th or 6th century BCE and its facades were unknown to modern man, until 1812 when Johan Ludwig Burckhardt discovered this bygone era of Jordanian history. We can write pages on Petra’s charm and beauty but nothing will compare to the sight of this valued treasure.
Petra is accessed through the Siq, which is a narrow entrance flanked by high cliffs which are over 80m high. You’ll be amazed by the colours of these rocks as you cover the 1 km (about 0.6 miles) distance to reach the Al-Khazneh which is the Treasury. This massive monument was carved out of pink rock in the 1st century and is actually the tomb of one of the Nabataean Kings.
| 1. Djinn blocks 2. Obelisk Tomb and Bab as-Siq Trielinium 3. Al-Madras 4. Dam 5. Al-Muthlim Tunnel 6. As-Siq 7. Al-KHAZNEH (Treasury) 8. The two Obelisks 9. High Place of Sacrifice 10. Lion Monumment 11. Garden Temple Complex 12. Roman Soldier Tomb 13. Triclinium 14. Renaissance Tomb 15. Broken Pediment Tomb 16. Amphitheater 17. The Street of Facades 18. Tomb 825 19. Aneisho Tomb 20. Urn Tomb 21. Silk Tomb 22. Corinthian Tomb 23. Palace Tomb 24. Sextius Florentinus Tomb | 25. House of Dorotheos 26. al-Wu'eira Crusader Castle (or fort) 27. Aqueduct 28. Mughar an-Nasara (Moghar Annassara) 29. Conway Tower 30. Turkmaniyya Tomb 31. Lior Triclinium 32. Ad-Deir Monastery 33. Byzantine Church 34. Winged Lions Temple 35. Blue Chapel 36. Petra Archeological Museum 37. Nymphaeum 38. The Collonadee Street 39. Temenos Gate 40. Qasr Al-Bint 41. Al-Habees Museum and fortress 42. Unfinished Tomb 43. Snake Monumen  - Restaurant - Museum |
Your next stop should be at the rock-cut tombs where you can marvel at the intricate carvings and mysterious openings. Petra also houses a large theater built for about 3000 people. You can carry home happy memories of your time at the Ad-Deir Monastery, the Petra Nabataean Museum, Petra Archaeological Museum and Mount Aaron which showcases a 13th century shrine.
From altars, temples and obelisks to colonnaded streets, Petra is a vision to behold in every sense of the word. You’ll certainly enjoy your time spent here as it will introduce you to another paradise hidden in the beautiful country of Jordan.
