"Masterpiece of Nature & Man's ingenuity" Petra by FruitLover

Petra Travel Guide: 948 reviews and 2,356 photos

Rock in the Rose-Red City

Petra (Stone, in Greek), amigos mios, is more than another beautiful, gorgeous, scenic, breathtaking, splendid, superb, fantastic, awesome, amazing, stunning, fabulous, marvellous, magnificent, charming, bla bla bla, site. Petra is an ULTIMATE destination!!

Short Historical Background

the SIQ

Of all the civilizations which inhabited the land of Jordan, the NABATAENS have left the most impressive memorials, especially in their capital where numerous facades carved out of rock still exercise a unique fascination.

The history of PETRA have begun much earlier than the arrival of the Nabataeans, as a Neolithic settlement dating from some 7,000 years B.C. and consisting of six ascending rows of dwellings has been discovered in the area around Baidha. During the first millenium B.C. the EDOMITES, a people mentioned in the Bible as having categorically refused to let the Jews, lead by Moses, enter their territory, settled here.

The Nabataean kingdom reached its greatest glory under Harith III, Harith IV, and Rabbel (1st century B.C. - 1st century AD). This was a period of defending against influence of Rome, rapidly spreading throughout the region, and intense agricultural activity(traces of which can still be seen in southern Jordan and the Negev(Israel).

Earthquakes & late discovery

Al Khazneh (The Treasury)

During the Byzantine period the city (geologically located in the unstable Syrian-African rift) was repeatedly hit by EARTHQUAKES, destroyng many buildings which were never rebuilt. These were, obviously, one of the reasons for the gradual DESERTION of the entire area. From the 7th century on references to the city became rare, and finally ceased altogether.

Thus Petra was no more the the name of a legendary city when, at the beginning of the 19th century, a brave and fearless Swiss traveler, Johann Ludwig BURCKHARDT, succeeded in arriving at a mysterious place where access was prohibited and which he identified as the ancient and fabulous capital of the Nabataeans. So began the series of explorations and excavations which have reavealed the magnificance of this forgotten city to the entire world.

Pros and Cons

Pros:If you have to choose only 2 destinations in Middle-East, go to Jerusalem & Petra
Cons:The shadow of fanatic Islamic terror
In a nutshell:One of the Wanders of Ancient world

Last visit to Petra: May 2006
Intro Updated Nov 26, 2006
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Reviews (19)

Jordan's Desert Patrol Local Customs (1)

Jordan's Desert Patrolmen wear attractive, colourful uniform. It consists of a long dish-dash held by a bright red... more travel advice

Starting the visit Things to Do (9)

The start of the visit. Horses can be hired for the first part of the route. more travel advice

Water reservation in the desert Things to Do (9)

Along the right wall of the Siq a conduit is visible, cut directly into the rock and still enclosed with slabs of rock... more travel advice

The Landscape around Petra.... Things to Do (9)

The Landscape around Petra consists of a series of high plains, seperated by deep faults, overlooking wide valleys,... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Decorated sand bottles
Warnings and Dangers (1)
Shadow of Terror
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Comments (14)

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LoriPori Jun 20, 2011 at 4:39 AM

Petra looks like such a beautiful place to visit.
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Kuznetsov_Sergey Jul 26, 2010 at 8:21 AM

Very interesting and helpful reading before making a page of my own. Thank you Avi for sharing. It's still awfully hot here in Moscow (like in Israeli deserts): +36C you can imagine without conditioners in our flats and offices, haha...
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TravellerMel Nov 9, 2009 at 2:53 PM

Loving your Petra tips - I'll be visiting next week, and hope to recreate the photo of you in front of the Treasury, with ME! :-)
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GoodGirl16 Dec 18, 2006 at 7:57 AM

Really cool information... Hmm.. Maybe Petra should be the next place i go!
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XtravelloverX Oct 9, 2006 at 6:51 PM

If you have only two choices in the Middle East; Jerusalem & Petra are absolute musts! Happy travels. :)
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TheWanderingCamel Sep 16, 2006 at 11:45 PM

Great start - let me know when you're done. Petra is just the best, is it not? leyle Haha, love your tip dedicated to us! Very funny! Megypt
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Trekki Sep 9, 2006 at 12:41 PM

Gorgeous !! One day I must visit Petra, not only as Harrison Ford baby hopped around here on horse - these colors are stunning !
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norain May 30, 2006 at 3:58 AM

nice pics :)
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ukirsari May 26, 2006 at 11:26 AM

shalom FL!!! i have a dream to visit petra someday :)
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ophiro May 21, 2006 at 9:23 AM

Petra is a beautiful place but although it is close for us the israeli people it can be very far. how did you get there ? from Eilat or a planned tour from another place ?