Petra is an ancient city in Jordan celebrated as both a UNESCO site and as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, owing to its stunning rock-cut architecture and rich history.
Sometimes known as the Rose City for its pink sandstone cliffs, Petra was established by the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab people, in the fourth century BC, although the surrounding area had been inhabited from as early as 7000 BC. The city became a vital trading hub due to its strategic location along the spice and silk trade routes that connected the East and West. It went on to become the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom in the second century BC.
Petra flourished in the first century AD, reaching a population of approximately 20,000. Its remarkable structures, including the famous Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) showcase the advanced engineering and artistic skills of the Nabataeans.
In 1985 Petra was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in 2007 the city was designated one of the New Seven Wonders of the World following a global poll that attracted over 100 million votes. Petra's selection reflects its unique architectural beauty and historical importance, making it a symbol of Jordan's rich heritage
Petra is easily reached from the Jordanian capital, Amman, or from the Red Sea port of Aqaba, Jordan's only coastal city. You approach the archaeological site through the nearby town of Wadi Musa, where there are numerous hotels and other facilities for tourists.
The entry price to the site varies depending on how long you stay at Petra and how long you're staying in Jordan but starts at about $70. If you choose to take a tour this will all be sorted out for you. In theory the entry ticket includes a ride on a horse or in a buggy from the entrance to the main attractions, but the horse-ride operators are very aggressive in demanding tips, so in practice you end up paying extra for the ride. In any event you may choose to walk, as we did, at least on the way down.
If walking, watch out for the horse-drawn buggies, whose operators also drive aggressively and race up and down at an alarming speed.
There are a number of trails you can take but the main trail offers an accessible and leisurely journey through the ancient city. Starting at the Visitor Centre and winding its way to Qasr al-Bint, it takes you past some interesting monuments carved out of the rock including the Obelisk Tomb. This leads you into The Siq, which serves as the main entrance into Petra and is certainly the most dramatic way in.
I particularly enjoyed the walk down through the relative cool of The Siq, the mysterious entrance to the city. It is a narrow gorge – at some points only three metres wide – that descends steeply for about 1.3 kilometres or just under a mile. The light is dim in the narrow parts and the rocky floor uneven in places so you need to be reasonably fit, especially if you plan to walk back up again into the searing heat.
The remains of water channels carved into the rock can be seen down the side of The Siq, designed to catch the scarce rain and carry it down into the city.
As you near the bottom the Treasury starts to come into view. This building represents the masterpiece of the ancient city with a height of almost 40 metres and width of about 30 metres, all carved into the mountain.
Be prepared to gasp when the Treasury comes into full view. It is an astonishing sight. However, archaeologists have determined that it wasn't really a treasury, as previously thought, but more likely a mausoleum. Excavations conducted in front of the building appeared to confirm this belief.
Then in 2003, archaeologists from the Jordan Department of Antiquities made a remarkable discovery, uncovering three Nabataean royal tombs dating back to the end of the first century BC. This significant find sheds light on the historical significance and purpose of this iconic monument.
If you're a first-time visitor but somehow think you recognise this architectural marvel, then you've probably watched the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where it was featured. You can't go inside the Treasury – it's empty anyway – but you can sneak a look from the outside.
From the Treasury you can resume walking the main trail which ends at Qasr al-Bint, where you can have lunch in one of the two restaurants nearby and see the museums located there.
But this is not the end of Petra, more the beginning, as there are many more structures to see that seem to go on endlessly. To see the entire city you would need to walk for 10 kilometres and the time taken would necessitate at least an overnight stay nearby.
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Photos © Judy Barford