"Petra" a Petra Travel Page by JohnniOmani

This incredible rose stone city was built in the 3rd century BC by the Nabataeans who carved palaces, temples, tombs, storerooms and stables from the rocky cliffs. From here they commanded the trade route from Damascus to Arabia, with great silk, spice and slave caravans passing through. In a short time, the Nabataeans made great advances-they mastered hydraulic engineering, iron production, sculpture and stone carving. Archaeologists believe that a massive earthquake in AD 555 forced the local people to abandon the city. Overall, Petra is spectacular!

The treasury is one of the most impressive sights in the world, it is carved out of solid, iron laden sandstone to serve as a tomb, the Treasury gets its name from the midguided belief that pirates hid their treasure here. There is small Bedouin camp to the left side of the temple and they are very friendly. The local desert police hang around the front entrance and they will pose for a photo. Walking through the tunnel and looking at the Treasury ranks up there with seeing the Pyramids or Mt. Everest. The gorgeous pillars are masterpieces.

Although all of Petra's high places are worth visiting, Ad Deir (monastery) shouldn't be missed. Part of the fun is hiking up to the area. It takes a long time and you should only attempt the walk or hike if you are in decent shape. The walk in the sun can be scorching and in the winter the wind can be chilly. The best thing about being up there near Ad Deir is that you will probably be the only person up there meaning your photos will be classics! The monastery has a similar facade to the treasury, but is far bigger and the views from the nearby cliff tops are stunning.