Petra
Petra should be on every history buff's bucket list. The lost city boasts breathtaking rose-red cliffs and extraordinary monuments that are simply stunning to visit.The iconic structures on this site include the Treasury and Monastery. However, there's more than meets the eye here than just these iconic structures. In Jordan tours Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit Petra for optimal weather and photo opportunities, providing more temperate temperatures and fantastic lighting conditions for taking breathtaking images of this remarkable site.
Ancient city of petra history
Petra, Jordan, is home to an intriguing Rose City composed of tombs, temples and palaces carved into blushing pink sandstone some 2,000 years ago in its high desert environment. Recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site since 1985, Petra remains an archaeological treasure that delights both scholars and tourists.
Petra was constructed by the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab people who controlled trade routes carrying spices and incense from Arabia to Egypt, India and Mediterranean Sea regions. Petra served as their capital as well as an area for commerce, culture and entertainment.
Long recognized for their monumental buildings carved into the cliffs, Petra's monumental structures have long been seen as more than tombs and temples they featured amphitheatres, palaces, and houses that boast architecture inspired by both Greece and Rome.
Petra managed to remain sustainable despite its remote desert setting due to an elaborate water supply system consisting of caves and cisterns that drew in groundwater through underground springs, then channeled it directly to its city via canals and cisterns, providing it with enough hydration to survive against drought or enemies.
Petra's allure has long inspired visitors to attempt to unravel its past; today, visitors can experience its remarkable architecture In Jordan day tours by following one of its historical pathways or simply wandering aimlessly amongst its rock-cut structures.
Lost City of Petra
Traveling to Petra is like taking a step back in time An unforgettable archaeological marvel etched with history that stands the test of time, breathtaking landscapes, and the hospitality of Jordan make for an unforgettable journey our tour guide will accompany you in Jordan Travel packages to know the most popular things to do in Jordan as well as listen to the history and story behind each attractions in Jordan.
Johann Ludwig Burckhardt discovered this site while traveling through modern-day Jordan on an overland expedition from the Nile River to Timbuktu for his African Association, which instructed him to maintain a Muslim appearance to avoid local hostility and mistrust.
On his travels, Burckhardt heard reports of an ancient city hidden within Wadi Musa, or Valley of Moses, Canyon. Curious to learn more, he decided to investigate and was stunned at what he discovered: an amazing city carved into rock that locals called Petra (or Al-Batr in Arabic).
Petra offers an unforgettable sensory experience, beginning with its mesmerizing Siq, a narrow gorge that fills visitors with anticipation and mystery as they make their way towards its end. When they reach it, though, their breath is taken away when they see its iconic Treasury at last!
jordan boasts a wealth of historical natural wonders, from the magical ancient city of Petra to the Dead Sea and the vibrant Mosaics of Madaba. Jordan offers a wide variety of travel experiences.
Petra offers so much to see and discover; discover its captivating Street of Facades and Theatre before reaching Al-Khazneh, Petra's most striking structure. After exploring Al-Khazneh, head on over to the monastery, where you can sip tea while admiring its peaceful setting, before ending your tour by climbing to the highest point in town for an unparalleled panoramic view!
Daily Life in the Ancient City of Petra
As you visit the Treasury, Colonnaded Street and Monastery - you will be reminded of how people once lived. Although some sandstone structures may now appear worn down due to weathering or wear and tear, their beauty remains undimmed; and intricate carvings reflect Nabataeans devotion to their gods while simultaneously showing off their talent and perseverance.
Petra once boasted an astonishing population of 30,000 inhabitants. This impressive density was enabled by Nabataeans, who created intricate channels into solid rock to collect winter rains in vast cisterns carved into solid rock; then used them during summer drought periods to store drinking water in massive reservoirs for later use.
Petra's cliffs provided ideal terrain for carving out caves and using them as tombs or meeting spots for family members. Tuttle also notes that some were used as "shrines," where pilgrims would come and burn incense and leave gifts as an offering in memory of loved ones who had passed.
Visitors to the ruins can explore on their own, although hiring a guide for added insight is recommended for an enhanced experience. They will help visitors interpret what the intricate carvings on the facades mean and explain the significance of flora and fauna carvings within walls.
With Jordan classic tours you should visit Petra between May and November when temperatures are optimal for full day trips from Israel or Egypt, although visiting in summer or winter can still prove rewarding, since you are more likely to have much of it all to yourself.
From Nabatean Capital to Modern Marvel
Petra is an ancient city filled with caves, temples and tombs carved into its pink cliffs that shed light upon an intricate civilization. Once known as "Rose City", Petra once served as a bustling hub of trade and wealth that attracted caravans bearing precious goods from distant corners of the earth. Additionally, Nabateans developed an innovative water conduit system, which enabled them to sustain a sizable population despite harsh desert climate conditions.
Petra is an extraordinary monument to the ingenuity and creativity of its builders, the Nabateans. Their architecture displays elements from Arabian, Greek and Roman styles in structures like the Treasury and Great Temple both testaments of their creativity. Even after being defeated by Rome in 106 AD, Petra continued to thrive until changing trade routes caused its commercial decline.
Today, Petra attracts millions of visitors annually from all corners of the globe. It has even appeared in movies, TV shows and video games; including Hollywood blockbusters Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Mummy Returns! But Petra is not Jordan's only archaeological treasure trove from its breathtaking landscapes to its rich cultural history, Jordan offers something for everyone to discover Book your trip today with us to uncover it yourself!
Petra, located southwest of the Dead Sea and near Red Sea Resort town of Aqaba
Exploring its rich history
When visiting the Treasure, Colonnaded Street, and Monastery, you will remember how people once lived. Although some sand structures may now appear worn out due to time or wear, their beauty remains intact, and intricate sculptures reflect the devotion of the Nabataeans to their gods, while simultaneously showing their talent and perseverance.
Petra once boasted an amazing population of 30,000 inhabitants. This impressive density was allowed by the Nabataeans who created complex solid rock channels to collect winter rainfall in vast solid stone carved tanks; so they used them during summer drought periods to store drinking water in massive reservoirs for later use.
The Petra cliffs provided ideal ground for carving caves and using them as graves or meeting places for family members. Tuttle also notes that some were used as "santuaries," where pilgrims came and burned incense and left presents as a gift in memory of loved ones who passed by.
Visitors to the ruins can explore on their own, although it is recommended to hire a guide to get more insights for an improved experience. They will help visitors interpret what the intricate sculptures on the façades mean and explain the meaning of the flora and fauna inside the walls.
Petra should be visited between May and November, when temperatures are optimal for full day trips from Israel or Egypt, although visiting in the summer or winter can still be rewarding, as you are more likely to have a lot of everything for yourself.
From Nabatean Capital to Modern Marvel
Petra is an ancient city full of caves, temples and tombs carved into its pink cliffs that shed light on a complex civilization. Once known as the "City of the Rose," Petra served as a busy center of trade and wealth that attracted caravans carrying precious goods from distant corners of the earth. In addition, the Nabateans developed an innovative water conduction system that allowed them to sustain a considerable population, despite the harsh climate conditions of the desert.
Petra is an extraordinary monument to the ingenuity and creativity of its builders, the Nabateans. Its architecture features elements of the Arabic, Greek and Roman styles in structures such as the Treasure and the Great Temple, both of which testify to his creativity. Even after being defeated by Rome in 106 AD, Petra continued to thrive until the change of trade routes caused its decline.
Today, Petra attracts millions of visitors annually from every corner of the globe. He even appeared in movies, TV shows, and video games; including the Hollywood blockbusters Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and The Mummy Returns! But Petra is not Jordan’s only archaeological treasure from its stunning landscapes to its rich cultural history, Jordan offers something for everyone to discover Book your trip today with us to discover it yourself with Next Holiday Travel .
-webp.webp)
