The city of Petra, Jordan Attractions, entertainment and pictures + address

Deep in the deserts of Jordan, in the middle of pink rocks and a narrow valley, lies an ancient city that was hidden from the eyes of the world for centuries. The city of Petra, where history and nature are intermingled and has secrets to be discovered and legends to be heard in its heart.

The magnificent buildings carved with intricate carvings in the heart of the rocks are a testimony to the intelligence and creativity of the Nabataeans and their skill in architectural engineering. It is interesting to know that legends also tell about the splitting of this place by the staff of Prophet Moses (pbuh).

The city of Petra is considered one of the sights of Jordan and the new seven wonders of the world. To start your trip to this ancient city, don’t miss reading this article in Alibaba Tourism Magazine.

Introduction to the city of Petra

The city of Petra is one of the national treasures of Jordan and the most well-known tourist attraction of this country. Known for the distinctive color of its rocks, the city is carved into the heart of sandstone cliffs and is famous for its unique architecture and complex water supply systems.

Photo from: Worldhistor website

One of the most prominent parts of Petra is the Khazneh, which offers visitors a stunning view and was featured in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Holy War.” Here, every stone and rock has a new story to tell. For those looking for adventure, history and culture, the city of Petra is an ideal destination that combines all of these.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

Where is the city of Petra?

The historical city of Petra is located in the southwest of Jordan in Maan province. Wadi Musa is a small town located near the ancient city of Petra.

Location of Petra city on Google Map

Access route to Petra city

To get from Tehran to Jordan, you can buy a plane ticket. After that, continue your journey in Jordan to the ancient city of Petra. Of course, it is also possible to travel by land to Jordan.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

The city of Petra is about 230 kilometers away from the capital of Jordan, the city of Amman. If the starting point of your trip in Jordan is from this city, you can drive south through the Sahara Highway and reach Wadi Musa, the gateway city of Petra, within 3 hours.

Another way to reach Petra city is the Shahan road, which has a beautiful and spectacular route. Of course, this route takes about 5 hours. To travel this route, you can use a bus, a private car or a private taxi.

Photo from: Britannica website

History of the city of Petra

The ancient and legendary city of Petra is more than 2000 years old. Of course, historically, the remains of human habitation in this area go back to the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. However, the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arab people, chose this city as their capital around the fourth century BC and turned it into an important commercial center.

Photo from: Britannica website

At that time, the Nabateans gained a lot of wealth due to controlling the trade routes of spices, incense, and precious fabrics from Arabia, India, and Egypt, and used this wealth to build the magnificent city of Petra. By digging canals and reservoirs, the Nabataeans directed water from distant natural sources to the city. This water supply system allowed the city of Petra to become one of the greenest and most prosperous places in the middle of a dry and barren desert.

The city of Petra continued to flourish during the Roman period, but a severe earthquake in 363 AD destroyed many of its buildings. This earthquake, along with the change of trade routes, caused the gradual decline of the city, and until the 7th century, Petra was almost completely abandoned.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

The city remained hidden from public view for centuries, until in 1812, the Swiss explorer Johannes Burkardt rediscovered Petra for the Western world. Since then, this ancient city has been recognized as one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

In 1985, the lost city of Petra was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2007, it was announced as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Photo from: Britannica website

The reason for naming the city of Petra

When the Roman emperor, Hadrian, visited this place in 131 AD, he named it Hadrian’s Petra after himself. The city of Petra derives its name from the Greek word “Petra” meaning “stone”, which is a reflection of the unique rock-cut structure of this ancient city.

Photo from: Britannica website

Petra is also known as the “Pink City” or the “Rose City”, a name inspired by the amazing color of the stones from which the city’s monuments are carved.

Architecture of the city of Petra

The ancient city of Petra is located in an enclosed basin, between the mountains of Jabal al-Mashab and Arabah Valley, and with its architecture interwoven in the Hellenistic and Nabatean styles, it presents a unique view. The city of Petra has tombs and temples carved directly into the heart of the mountain. The buildings of this magnificent city are made of natural sandstone and other local materials.

Photo from: History site

The main entrance to the city of Petra starts from the narrow passage of Siq, which is a natural gap between the sandstone rocks. This passage provided both access to the city and served as a natural waterway. This issue allowed the precise control of water flows in the city. The engineering systems of the Nabataeans controlled sudden floods and stored water for long-term droughts using dams, reservoirs, and water channels.

Photo from: Britannica website

The combination of Hellenistic architectural facades with rock-cut Nabatean temples represents a unique artistic achievement and an outstanding architectural ensemble from the first centuries BC to AD.

The city of Petra is especially famous for its Hellenistic architectural influences. Prominent buildings such as Khazneh and the monastery are clear examples of these influences. These buildings, combining Nabatean and Greek styles, provide a picture of the diverse civilizations that have influenced Petra and show the extensive commercial contacts of the Nabateans with different cultures.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

Different parts and architectural wonders of Petra city

The historical city of Petra displays a series of unique architectures in the heart of the sand cliffs. This city includes public and private buildings, tombs and religious temples that keep the history and culture of the Nabataeans alive.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

One of the most famous structures in Petra is the treasury, which is only one of the thousands of architectural wonders of this city. Visitors can touch the history by walking in parts such as Little Petra and large monasteries and learn about its temples, tombs, theater and rock reliefs.

In addition, Petra’s museums offer a wealth of information about this lost civilization and the city’s commercial prosperity in ancient times. In the rest of this section, we will introduce each of these places.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

– Treasury of Petra

The Treasury of Petra or Al Khazneh is one of the magnificent works of the city of Petra, which is located at the end of the Siq, a narrow and winding stone path. This huge structure with a height of nearly 40 meters, with Corinthian capitals, carved statues and intricate stone decorations, is a symbol of the unique engineering and art of the Nabataeans.

Photo from: Abfabtravels website

The crown of this building is covered with a burial jar which, according to local legends, contains the hidden treasure of Pharaoh. The main use of the treasury is not yet fully known. But some archaeologists believe that this building was built in the first century BC and may have been used as a temple or a place to store documents.

In recent excavations, a cemetery has been discovered under this building, which adds to its historical importance. The interior of the treasury also includes three rooms; A large room in the center and two side rooms.

Photo from: Britannica website

– Sigh Strait or Bab al-Sigh

The Siq Strait or “Bab al-Siq” means the gate of the Siq, the path that leads to the main entrance of the city of Petra. At the beginning of this path, there are three huge “Jenny” blocks, which are square buildings carved in stone. After that, the obelisk tomb can be seen, which was built by the Nabateans in the first century AD.

Photo from: Universes website

Above the mausoleum are four pyramids and a niche with a sculpture in relief representing the five people buried there. Under it, the “Triclinium” banquet hall is located. There is also an inscription in Nabatean and Greek that refers to a burial monument.

The inscription written by “Abdmanchos” indicates that the tomb was built for him and his family and probably dates back to the reign of Malikus II (40s to 70s AD).

– Royal Tombs of Petra (Royal Tombs)

The Royal Tombs of Petra are a magnificent collection of large tombs carved out of the western slope of the rock mass “Jabal al-Khabtha” and located above the center of the Petra Archaeological Park. Although there is no accurate information about the owners of these tombs, research shows that these tombs belonged to the royal family of Petra. These tombs are stunningly combined with Oriental and Hellenistic architecture.

Photo from: Universes website

Among these tombs, we can mention Guldan Tomb, which has a large pillared courtyard and a beautiful view of the lost city of Petra. Next to it, there is the Silk Tomb, which stands out from other tombs due to its beautiful sandstone colors and is one of the favorite destinations for photographers. The Corinthian tomb with its decorated Corinthian capitals and floral motifs is one of the other prominent tombs of this complex.

– Monastery (Al deir)

The monastery is one of the largest and most prominent buildings in the city of Petra, which is 47 meters wide and 48.3 meters high, and is located on the slope of the mountain. This building, which dates back to the first century BC, was built during the reign of King Rabelais II. Its structure is similar to a vault, but instead of carved statues, it has reliefs with niches to accommodate statues.

Photo from: Wikimedia site

The interior of the monastery is simple but attractive and is surrounded by two side benches and an altar at the end. This place was used for religious meetings in ancient times. During the Christian era, it was also used as a Christian prayer room, which is why the name of the monastery or “Al Deir” was given to it.

The location of the monastery, at the top of a long and winding path, creates a sense of triumph and wonder for the visitors who reach it. This rock path is a unique experience in itself that invites visitors to explore the history and architecture of this building.

Photo from: Britannica website

Qasr El-bint

Qasr al-Bent is one of the important Nabataean temples in Petra city, which is located inside a large paved area with a height of 23 meters. The construction of this temple dates back to the reign of Aritas IV and was also used in the Roman era. Qasr Al-Bent is famous for its magnificent architectural structure and interior and exterior plaster decorations, which include magnificent columns, prominent panels and plant decorations.

Photo from: Wikimedia site

The northern facade of the temple is designed in the tetrasyl style in Antis and is accessible through a large staircase paved with marble. Inside the temple, the priests proceeded to a prayer hall built according to the Syrian tradition, with the idols placed on a high platform in the center. The side rooms of the temple were also used as places for sacred symposiums and were furnished with marble seats.

The temple was built in the first half of the first century BC, but it was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout history. Among these damages were deliberate destruction in the third century and serious damage due to the earthquake in 363 AD.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

– Amphitheater and Roman ruins of Petra

The amphitheater of Petra is located on the mountainside and near the high place of Ghorbani. This amphitheater was built during the reign of Aretas IV and had a capacity of 4,000 people. Its seats were placed in three rows and it was connected to the theater by corridors and seven staircases. During the Roman period, the back wall of the stage was rebuilt and this place became one of the gathering and entertainment centers of the city.

Photo from: Wikimedia site

In addition to the amphitheater, the Roman ruins of the historical city of Petra also indicate the presence and significant influence of the Roman Empire in this city. The colonnaded street, one of the most important Roman structures in the city, was built during this period. Decorated with massive columns, this street was the heart of Petra’s commercial and social activities.

The Roman Empire ruled the city of Petra for 300 years and brought about significant changes in its architecture and urban life, but as trade moved north, the importance of the city declined.

– Tomb of Aaron

Harun’s tomb is located on Mount Harun (Mount Harun). It is believed that Aaron, the brother of Prophet Moses (pbuh), died in this place and was buried here. A mosque with a white dome built in the 4th century AD is a memorial to this holy figure and has made this place a place of pilgrimage.

Photo from: Wikimedia site

Mount Haroon, with a height of 1,350 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in this region and provides a beautiful view of the surrounding areas. This place has long been a place of pilgrimage for local people, and it is still visited by tourists who have enough time and physical strength for a long walk.

The best time to visit Petra

The best time to visit Petra is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). In these seasons, the weather is cooler and more pleasant and ideal for sightseeing in this ancient city.

If you are running away from extreme heat, the summer season with temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius may not appeal to you, but on the other hand, it is quieter and travel costs are usually lower. Winters are rainy and sometimes snowy and the nights are very cold.

Photo from: Matadornetwork site

We recommend early morning or around sunset to visit Petra. At this time, the sunlight reveals the red rocks of Petra beautifully and creates a memorable experience for you.

Amenities of Petra city

In the ancient city of Petra, the amenities needed by tourists are available. There are several parking lots near the main entrance of Petra. Restaurants and coffee shops are also available to relieve fatigue and enjoy local and international cuisine.

Photo from: Britannica website

In this complex, there are several souvenir shops that offer handicrafts and local products. Restrooms are also located in different places to meet the basic needs of visitors. For accommodation, the city close to this place, Wadi Musa, offers visitors several options from budget to luxury hotels.

Recreational facilities in the city of Petra

The city of Petra is not only a historical destination, but a place where visitors can enjoy natural scenery and various recreational activities in addition to exploring its stunning architecture. This city provides a unique experience for every taste.

Photo from: Abfabtravels website

– Nature tourism and sightseeing

The city of Petra, with its unique natural scenery, is an ideal destination for nature lovers. One of the most attractive areas for nature tourism, El Bid and Heisheh provide amazing views and a suitable space for rest and picnic.

Photo from: Worldhistory site

The main route of the city of Petra, which reaches from Siq to Al-Khazneh, is one of the most visited routes that passes through the royal tombs and the columned street and ends at Al-Banet Palace. For the more adventurous, one can explore the Al-Khabteh route, which includes Namaha Street and the royal tombs. This route offers wonderful views from the top of Al-Khabteh Reservoir.

– Photography

The lost city of Petra turns every moment into an opportunity to capture beautiful moments due to its stunning scenery and magnificent architecture. The morning and evening light shows a combination of various colors in the ancient rocks of Petra. Of course, considering that photography in this space may be challenging despite the deep shadows that are created in some places, it is better to be familiar with the manual settings of your camera.

Photo from: Matadornetwork site

– Cooking in Petra

Various culinary experiences are provided in the city of Petra for those interested in experiencing the culture and local flavors of Jordan. One of the best culinary experiences in this area is Petra Kitchen, which by holding night classes, allows visitors to prepare authentic Jordanian dishes in an intimate and friendly atmosphere.

Photo from: Cookly site

On the other hand, Camp Amarin provides an opportunity to touch the old traditions of the Bedouin by offering authentic Bedouin experiences, such as baking teak bread and preparing Arabic coffee.

– Camel riding and horse riding

Camel riding and horse riding are fascinating ways to explore this ancient city that offer you a different and memorable perspective. Riding a camel from Siq to the Royal Theater is a unique experience that brings to life the life of the old Bedouins.

Photo from: Britannica website

Also, the entrance ticket to Petra includes a short horse ride from the visitor center to the Siq. Horses can be rented for longer tours.

– Visiting cave houses

Visiting the cave houses in the city of Petra is a unique experience that takes you to the heart of the ancient life of the Nabataeans. These houses carved in the heart of the rocks were used as a place of living, storage and even a place of worship more than 2000 years ago. Some of these houses also have Hellenistic wall paintings. Lined with magnificent houses and tombs, Namaha Street is a great place to start exploring.

Photo from: Theclturemap site

Buying souvenirs from Petra

In the local shops of the historic city of Petra, you can find handmade jewelry with semi-precious stones, colorful ceramics, traditional Bedouin clothing, sand bottles of desert landscapes, flower care products and Dead Sea salt, and works of art made from olive wood.

Photo from: Britannica website

Along with handicrafts and works of art, local foods are also an attractive part of Petra souvenirs. Mansaf, the national dish of Jordan, made from lamb meat and dry yogurt sauce, is one of the most popular flavors in this region. Maglouba, Zareb, primitive tea and coffee, and baklava are other local foods of this region.

Stay in Petra

The city of Petra provides many accommodation options for visitors. If you are looking for a special experience, the Amarin Bedouin Camp is a unique choice that will put you in the heart of the history and culture of the Bedouins. Mon Petra Hotel is located a few steps from the city of Petra. Also, Plaza Hotel, Infinity Hotel, Heart Hotel and Sela Hotel are other suitable options for accommodation.

Photo from: Google Maps site

Alibaba recommendations for visiting Petra

• Be sure to allocate enough time to visit the ancient city of Petra. At least two days are needed to visit this area.
• For your own safety and to protect this place, please take care when visiting. Do not walk on the buildings and only use the designated paths to explore and do not stray from the main path without a guide.
• Bring suitable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen and drinking water with you.
• Respect the customs, culture and religion of the local people and try to learn about them in advance.
• Buy your ticket only at the visitor center and use the authorized means of transport within the city of Petra itself. Also, avoid buying antiques including stones and coins.