Petra, the rose red city

Petra became an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Also known as the “rose red city, half as old as time”, it is not difficult to understand why it has become Jordan’s largest tourist attraction.

Some say this is partly because of Steven Spielberg’s movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” from 1986, but no doubt this site would could have become famous anyway sooner or later. It was also chosen as one of the controversial “New Seven Wonders of the World” in 2007.

It has not always been a well known destination though, in fact it remained hidden from most of the world for more than a thousand years until Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer, disguised himself as an Arab scholar and entered the city in 1812. Other western explorers followed in his footsteps.

From around 312 BC Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom before it was occupied by the Roman Empire in AD 106. Several structures are from the Roman era. As an important trade and commerce center Petra continued to grow until an earthquake put it in ruins around AD 663. Petra was abandoned after Saladin conquered the Middle East in 1189, and it became a forgotten city.

The main entrance to the ancient city is from the east through al-Siq. dark, This is an impressing, narrow gorge only 3–4 m wide and 182 m high at some places. The gorge was formed from a split in the sandstone rocks, and also served as a waterway. Transport through al-Siq and Petra is normally done by foot, but you can also hire camel, donkey, or horse.

Coming out of this gorge you will be met by the most famous sights of all in Petra; the Al Khazneh, also known as “the Treasury”. It was carved out of a sandstone rock face somewhere between 100 BC and 200 AD, and the rumors said that the urn atop the structure contains a hidden treasure, hence the name “Treasury”. Bullet marks can actually be seen from where Bedouin travellers have tried to expose the non-existent treasure. It is still not clear what the actual purpose of Al Khazneh has been.

The outer Siq or Street of Facades is a continuation of al-Siq. This is a large canyon with tomb facades, all in colourful sandstone.

The Street of Facades ends at the Roman Theater. Originally built by the Nabateans but later enlarged by the Romans, the amphitheater could seat up to 7000 people.