Petra
is a beautiful archaeological park, often referred to as the grand rose red city! A Nabataean city
located in Jordan's south, Petra is home some breathtaking architecture that
has faced the test of times. Even the ruins of the city define grandeur. A
World Heritage Site (UNESCO) since 1985, Petra is now a thriving tourist
destination of Jordan. If you are planning a visit, here is everything you
should know about it.
Once a capital of Nabataean kingdom,
Petra has been ruled over by the Romans, Saladin until the city lost itself to
abandonment. The ruins of the city had stayed perfectly glistening and lost in
time until Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer found the city almost two
centuries back. If that didn't titillate the explorer within you then here is a
fun fact: Steven Spielberg used Petra among the several filming locations of
the famed classic Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! A Mantis Trip
Petra is a must if you have seen the amazing Dr. Jones enjoying his adventures
in this millennia old city.
Entering the Petra
is simple even if you are travelling from Israel. Mantis
Trip Petra organizers ensure that all travel documents are taken care of
if you cross border from Israel so the option is fairly safe. A sandstone
canyon called the Siq which is around 2km gives entrance to the city.
On your way in, you will see some beautiful minor carvings but the exquisite sandstone
patterns designed on the walls are something that you should look forward to
seeing. Some terracotta pipes from the roman times are still there.
Walking
out of the Siq, you will be amused by the sheer beauty of the Treasury (al-Khazneh)
which is among the city's most grand structures. Local legend states that the
urn at the top of the Treasury structure has a grand hidden treasure of a Pharaoh
and the legend's truth has often been tested by Bedouin settlements as the urn
bears numerous marks. Next is the outer Siq which is also called the
beautiful Street of Facades which is a vast canyon with several tombs lined on
the adjacent sides.
As
the street of Facades ends, there is the grand Roman Theatre with a seating
capacity of 7000. While the Nabataean built the theatre, the Romans made sure
that it was big enough to cater to the city's populace. Little far from the
theatre is the Royal Tombs which enjoy a certain element of mystery since it is
still not known who the tombs were made for. The Monastery (ad-Deir)
is really the show stopper when it comes to Petra's grand architecture. The
biggest carved monument that has been erected since 1st century AD, the
Monastery has mesmerizing interiors. With around 800 steps that lead all the
way up to the Monastery, it is among the most beautiful structures of the city.
Nearby,
there is a city called the Wadi Musa so if you have some extra hours still left
on your expedition then getting a view of the city from uphill will be great.
