Petra General Tips by Helga67

Favorite Thing: No site in Jordan captures the visitor's imagination and takes his breath away as dramatically as Petra. The amount of labour involved in carving the magnificent structures in the colourful soft rock boggles the mind.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: The Nabateans first came here in the 6th century BC, and for many years their capital was here. They gained control of lucrative trade routes and carved their edifices into the colourful stone at Petra (which actually means 'stone' in ancient Greek).
The Nabateans enjoyed centuries of prosperity in their city of stone. Earthquakes in 363 and 747 caused severe damage, and Petra was cut off from the West for over 1000 years. The Beduin who lived among the stones guarded their secret place, refusing entry to outsiders until 1812, when a Swiss explorer entered Petra and published his stories.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: The passage into Petra begins with a walk or a ride through the narrow passageway of more than one kilometre in length.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: On each side of the dirt path, brilliantly coloured rock rises toward the sky. The closer you get to the Treasury, the more vivid the shades of red, orange and pink seem to become.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: Nobody knows why the first facade cut into stone that greets people as they emerge from the Siq is called the Treasury. This building was always a burial site and never had anything to do with money matters. The well-preserved facade is decorated with a rich variety of symbols related to death. Nabatean gods in charge of guiding the souls of the dead, Medusa heads, eagles and winged victories.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: An opening in the red and pink stone mountainside to the right of the Treasury leads to the theatre and the city centre.


Leave a Comment