The ancient city of Petra, sometimes called the Lost City, is a beautiful archeological city in Jordan. It is world-renowned for its natural rock shape architecture. In July 2007, Petra was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
New Seven Wonders of the World
- Great Wall of China.
- Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
- Machu Picchu in Peru.
- Chichen Itza.
- Roman Colosseum.
- Taj Mahal in India.
- Petra in Jordan.
When Was Petra Built? It was built by the Nabateans in what is now southern Jordan, while the civilization was amassing great wealth trading with its Greek and Persian contemporaries around 150BC.
Who Are The Nabateans:
Were one among several nomadic tribes who roamed the Arabian Desert, moving with their herds to wherever they could find pasture and water. Arabian nomads from the Negev Desert amassed their wealth first as traders on the Incense Routes which wound from Qataban (in modern-day Yemen) through neighboring Saba (a powerful trade hub) and on toward Gaza on the Mediterranean Sea.
If you are wondering why Petra is one of the Wonders of the World. It is because its Renowned charm and ancient cultural heritage, Petra marks the achievement of an impressive civilization, the Nabataean Arabs, who perfectly carved the city into its mountains. These carved buildings have lasted 2,000 years.
Is it safe to visit Petra in Jordan? The quick answer is, yes. But it’s easy to say, and we understand that when traveling in the Middle East like anywhere in the world, things can be confusing and sometimes reading around the internet can be scary.
The site is considered significant by historians and archeologists alike because of its beautiful rock-cut architecture and innovative water management system, the latter of which made the region inhabitable, given that it is surrounded by desert and rugged, mountainous terrain.
The city lies on the slope of Mount Hor, enclosed in a basin amid the towering rock mountains of Arabah. A beautiful stream runs down perennially throughout the mountains. Because of its natural shape and structure, it used to act as a fortress in ancient times as it controlled the commercial trading routes that connected Gaza, Bosra, the Persian Gulf, and Damascus. One can see magnificent rocks carved out to form monasteries, and theater. One can see the shafts, the sandstones, cliffs, and other extensive ruins.
Then, on May 19, A.D. 363, a massive earthquake and a powerful aftershock rumbled through the area. A Jerusalem bishop noted in a letter that “nearly half” of Petra was destroyed by the seismic shock.
What is inside Petra?
Petra is a stunning collection of tombs, temples, and ancient living spaces of the Nabatean civilization. .Some main archeological sites inside the city are the Treasury – the tomb of a Nabatean king, the Monastery, an isolated mountain temple, a theatre, government buildings, and a dwelling for regular people.
Aal Khazneh:
Al-Khazneh is one of the most elaborate temples in Petra, a city of the Nabatean Kingdom inhabited by the Arabs in ancient times. As with most of the other buildings in this ancient town, including the Monastery, this structure was carved out of a sandstone rock face.
Petra is a stunning collection of tombs, temples, and ancient living spaces of the Nabatean civilization. These are carved into the very rock the city is built on. No, you can’t go inside the Treasury, but there’s nothing to see. It’s just an empty chamber.
It is believed that Moses’ brother Aaron died and was buried in the Petra area and a white-domed mosque, built in the 14th century, commemorates this. It stands atop Aaron’s Mountain (Jabal Harun), which is the highest peak in the area at 1350 meters above sea level.
What is the significance of the city of Petra According to Arab tradition, Petra is the spot where Musa, Moses struck a rock with his staff and water came forth, and where Moses’ brother, Harun (Aaron), is buried, at Mount Hor, known today as Jabal Haroun or Mount Aaron?
If you are wondering where Indian Jones was filed, here is your answer; The Last Crusade was filmed in stunning filming locations in Spain, Italy, Germany, Jordan, United Kingdom, and the United States. Some of the beautiful filming locations involve Venice where they filmed scenes around the Library in Venice. Petra in Jordan represents the temple in which the Holy Grail was hidden.
The city is truly a red rose carved forever in time. The rock structures and carved monuments lend an air of mystique and elegance to the city which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1985. A traveler, who looks forward to an adventure of timelessness, will definitely fall in love with the rock city.
Jordan, of all the places in the world, is a rare place that blends with mystique, tradition, and hospitality. Petra signifies that beauty is indeed timeless. If one had to see elegance and beauty personified, the city of Petra would make for the perfect picture. Without a doubt, Petra is a precious jewel in the crown of Jordan’s popular places.
For a wanderer or a photographer, Petra embodies the ultimate charm. With a number of well-equipped resorts and hotels around Petra, one can easily stay here. It is also very well connected by flights and local transportation. For a Petra tourist to enjoy the old-world charm, Jordan offers the right blend of hospitality and a rich culture that adds up to a beautiful experience.
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