The gigantic red mountains and the immense mausoleums of a lost time have little to do with our modern civilization, and do not ask for more than being appreciated for their true value: as one of the greatest wonders ever created by Nature and Man.
Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the ancient world,
Petra is undoubtedly Jordan's most precious treasure and its most important tourist attraction. It is a huge city completely excavated in the rocks by the Nabateans, a hard-working Arabian tribe that settled in the area more than 2,000 years ago and turned it into an important city of passage that linked the silk routes, those of the spices and others that connected China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.
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The entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow canyon, one kilometer long, surrounded by cliffs that rise up to 80 meters high. The simple fact of walking through the Siq is an unforgettable experience. The colors and formations of the rocks are dazzling. When you reach the end of the Siq you will see for the first time the facade called Al-Khazneh (the Treasury).
It is an awesome experience. An immense façade, 30 m wide and 43 m high, carved into the rocky face of pale pink eclipses everything around it. It was built in the 1st century as the tomb of an important Nabatean king and is a sample of the engineering talent of this ancient town.
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The Treasure is the first of the many wonders found in Petra. You will need at least four or five days to get to know the city thoroughly. As you access the Petra Valley, the visitor will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of this place and its impressive architecture. There are hundreds of elaborate tombs carved into the rock with complicated engravings that, unlike the houses, which were destroyed by the earthquake, were built to last all eternity and 500 have survived, empty, but irremediably captivating as they pass through their dark entrances . There is also a large theater built by the Nabataeans Roman style, with capacity for 3,000 people. There are obelisks, temples, altars for sacrifices, streets with columns and, at high altitude, dominating the valley, the impressive Ad-Deir monastery rises, a rise of 800 steps carved into the rock lead to it.
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Access to the site is not allowed to motorized vehicles. If you do not feel like walking, rent a horse or a horse-drawn carriage to cross the Siq, 1 kilometer long. For the elderly or disabled, the Visitor Center, located near the entrance to the Siq, grants a special permit (for an additional price) for its transfer to the interior of Petra and the visit of the main attractions. Once inside the enclosure, you can rent a donkey or, if you are looking for a bit of adventure, a camel. The two options include the accompaniment of a caregiver and travel the routes of the site.
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The best time to visit Petra, especially if you plan to take pictures, is from early morning to mid-morning or late afternoon, when the tilt of the sun highlights the natural colors of the rocks.
Have a wonderful day.
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