One of the most well-known archaeological sites in the world is Petra, the capital of the Nabataean Arabs. Petra is situated 120 km north of the red sea town of Aqaba and 240 km south of Amman. Petra, also known as the “world wonder,” is unquestionably Jordan’s most valuable asset and most popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from all over the world.
Although the exact date of Petra’s construction is unknown, it did flourish as the seat of the Nabataean Empire, which rose to prominence in the first century BC, thanks to trade in spices, myrrh, and frankincense.
After being incorporated into the Roman Empire, Petra prospered until a significant earthquake in 363 AD devastated most of the city in the fourth century AD.
“Greater Than a Miracle PETRA”
The city finally collapsed and was abandoned as a result of the earthquake and modifications to trade routes.
Petra seems to have been largely abandoned by the middle of the 7th century, at which point everyone in the region lost it save for the Bedouin residents.
After dressing up as an Arab and persuading his Bedouin guide to take him to the lost city, Swiss explorer Johannes Burckhardt set out to “rediscover” Petra in 1812. As a result, Petra gained notoriety in the West as a captivating and stunning ancient city, and it has been drawing tourists ever since.
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The stunning colour of the rock that many of the city’s structures were carved from has earned Petra the nickname “rose-red city.”
The city of Nabatae had temples, a theater, and after the Roman annexation and later Byzantine influence, a colonnaded street and churches. The Nabataeans buried their dead in elaborate tombs carved out of the mountain sides.
At Petra, where remarkable natural, cultural, archaeological, and geological features come together, human settlement and land use for over 10,000 years can be traced, in addition to the magnificent remains of the Nabataean city.
In addition to being named a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1985, Petra was selected as one of the 28 locations you should see before you die by Smithsonian Magazine
Petra is two hours’ drive from the Red Sea port of Aqaba and three hours’ drive from Amman. Every day, buses, private taxis, and guided tours travel the route. Hikers can reach Dana or Wadi Rum by hiking the Jordan Trail through Petra.
It’s a frequent error to limit visits to Petra to a single day. Recall that Petra occupies an area greater than one hundred square miles. The majority of Petra’s attractions are best accessed on foot, though donkeys, camels, and horse-drawn buggies can speed up travel time between the highlights. Prepare yourself for some challenging hiking.
