What is Petra?

Petra, the ancient city of the Nabateans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2007 was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.  It is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system.   To get there we traveled two hours through rugged desert and mountains over an excellent road which also provides access to Amman, Jordan and other points north. 

Petra was once a thriving trading center and the capital of the Nabatean empire.  According to one of our references, Petra is one of the world’s richest archaeological sites and when we visited we learned that there is much yet to be learned at this amazing ancient city.   We walked about a mile through a narrow cleft in the rock called Bab as-Siq aka Siq.  This narrow passage between two large rock was formed by a deep split in the sandstone rock .  It is many stories tall and enabled the city to be hidden from invaders and later for a while the Roman armies.

The Nabateans are known to have been in this city from 400 years before Christ but it is believed that it was inhabited long before that.  Petra possessed not only the advantages of a fortress but it controlled the main commercial routes which passed through it between Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean.  They charged tolls to passing caravans as well as providing a trading station.   It was very advanced community with an elaborate system of cisterns, dams and water conduits which were “troughs” which they made in the walls containing clay pipes which brought water into the city.   There was a theater which accommodate several thousand spectators. 

The main feature is Al Khazneh, the Treasury.  At the end of the one mile walk through the Siq, the walls open up to a large plaza revealing the Treasury.   It once was the tomb of a leader.  The façade is 40 m high and quite spectacular especially after the walk through the narrow Siq. 

We walked past the Treasury to an open area where there were many caves and the Theatre.  Our guide explained that there is much still to be excavated in this area.  

From there we turned around and began the steady ascent back up through the Siq.   In the morning there was some breeze and a little relief from the heat but once we left the Siq at the top, it was a very hot (read tedious) walk through the scorching sun and temperatures well over 100F.  We slogged along and were very happy to reach the small hotel where after a short rest to catch our breath, a beer and lunch was waiting.

In our 5+mile adventure we only saw part of Petra.  Many come and stay several days to explore various outcroppings, temples and caves.   We were so glad that we were able to see what we did.