Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

"Rose Coloured City" a Petra Travel Page by leffe3

Search:
email to friend | help
Home » Middle East » Jordan » Muhafazat Ma`an » Petra » leffe3 Petra Travel Page

Petra Pages by leffe3


"Rose Coloured City" a Petra Travel Page by leffe3
See the Entire Petra Travel Guide
Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


leffe3   
Be well, eat well - and laugh


Real Name: keith lawrence
Lives In: Melbourne, AU
Member Since: Dec 15, 2001
VT Rank: 166

Sponsored Links for Petra

Petra Jordan Hotels
Low Rates on Petra Hotels. Also Book Flights & Cars at ORBITZ!

Jordan Authentic Tour
Petra, Dead Sea, Jerash, desert castles & dine w/ Jordanian family

See The Real Petra
Small Group Trips In Jordan. Visit Places You Can't Get To On Your Own

Petra Hotel
Save on Hotels in Roma With Expedia's Best Price Guarantee

Petra Jordan Hotels
Great Selection, Cheap Rates! Book & Save with CheapTickets.com



 

Page Views: 1,566            Last Visit to Petra: February, 2003      

Rose Coloured City

by leffe3 - last update: Sep 15, 2006

Oh Petra - the pride of the Nabataeans, the lost city of more than 600 years, the 'rose-red city, half as old as time'.

It is, quite simply, extraordinary. More than 2500 years old, established by the Nabataeans as their capital on the Spice Route. They rose to power and wealth plundering the merchants as they bought their goods across the deserts to the ports of the Mediterranean. A quantam shift made them even wealthier when they realised there was more wealth to be had by protecting the same merchants! At their peak, the empire stretched as far north as Syria and into modern day Saudi Arabia. Their power bought them into contact firstly with the Greeks and then the Romans, but such was their wealth they were able to buy them off! But eventually new sea-going routes were discovered and developed, seeing the Nabataeans decline in power. But, in spite of this, the splendid city of Petra thrived. But natural disasters contributed to the decline of the city, and with the Crusaders conquering the region (and building a small fortress on the edge of the valley), the Nabataeans were a spent force. Even the Crusaders felt little need of keeping the fortress operating in such a barren environs, and their withdrawal in the 12th century left the city abandoned to a few hardy locals and folklore for more than 600 years!
A Swiss explorer, disguised as a Bedouin, eventually rediscovered the lost city in the early 19th century -but even then it was another 100 years before archaelogists moved in.

Petra - it really does live up to every expectation and so much more.....

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

leffe3's Petra Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 24 - Photos: 98
 
Restaurants
Tips: 1
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 3 - Photos: 15
 
Tourist Traps
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
Warnings Or Dangers
 
TransportationLocal Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 1 - Photos: 5

Comments for leffe3 about Petra
PetraofVancouver Tue Jun 5, 2007 06:25 UTC
 Love your travel documentaries, expecially about the desert city of Petra. I hope to visit my namesake city one day, and other sites in Jordan. Thanks for sharing!
atufft Thu May 10, 2007 06:23 UTC
 Nice photo documentary of Petra. From these images the Nabatean construction appears quite unique and apart from Roman architecture I've seen, although certainly influenced by it in places.
kikalena Tue May 8, 2007 18:04 UTC
 Great and impresive page and photophy I've found here! I must also read your Australian page soon as I'm very interested in visiting it. By the way I totally agree that "Love in the Time of Cholera" is the most romantic book ever.Greetings from Poland
Jim_Eliason Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:23 UTC
 Great pics!
See More Comments

More Sponsored Links for Petra

New 7 Wonders
The new seven wonders of the world were announced recently.

Jordan Direct Tours
Book your trip direct for less with a reputable local company

Petra Hotel Specials
Book online for a great special on hotels in Petra

Find:       Matching:  Advanced