"Awe Struck Archaeological Wonder" a Petra Travel Page by triplehelix

John William Burgon (British Antiquities Official) once called Petra "the rose red city half as old as time". That delegation may well be true.

Petra is located in south west Jordan and is easily accessible by public transportation. Most travelers spend two to three days (recommended) but this traveler was too enthusiastic and fit everything in one day. The village of Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses) sits at the only entrance near the Bab as-Siq and caters to a large backpacker scene. During my stay here I met many travelers who came from Egypt via Aqaba. If you're in Jordan for just a few days then Petra is THE thing to see in the country.

Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (Swiss Explorer) discovered the walled city in 1812 while on an expedition. A city in decline and home to nomadic herders at the time, the astonishing carved structures would soon gain international attention.

The city was the center of trade along ancient routes including the Silk Road. Ruled by the Nabateans, then the Romans, Petra was the capital of many trade dynasties. Famed ancient villages such as Edom neighbored the valley. Petra's decline came in part to the changing of trade routes along the sea coast during Roman rule.

In 1985, Petra was designated as a World Heritage Site and tourism really took off in the country with many tour opperators organizing packages. Today, Petra is still the number one money maker in Jordan with tourists flooding the gates daily. The best time to go is first thing in the morning to have an undisturbed view of the wonders.