(Research from the Jordan Tourism Board: http://visitjordan.com/Default.aspx?tabid=63, picture credits courtesy of R. Salib)
Petra is a world wonder. It is considered Jordan’s most valuable treasure, and a huge tourist attraction.
It is a unique city, carved into rock, by the Nabataeans, an Arab people who settled there, more than 2,000 years ago. This city ended up being a key route for the silk, spice, and trading route where travelers would come from China, India, and other Arab countries. The entrance to the city is a narrow path, over 1km long, with vast cliffs on the sides. Further down the pathway, the Al-Khazneh (Treasury) appears. The Treasury, is carved out of rock, pink, originally made to be the tomb of a 1st century Nabataean king. Petra is also called ‘The Lost City.’ After being lost for a long time, it was rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss traveler who pretended to be an Arab from India making a sacrifice at the tomb of the Prophet Aaron.
UNESCO established Petra as a World Heritage Site in 1985. Four to five days are really needed to explore all the elements of Petra. The architectural design is an outstanding achievement, with elaborate rock-cut buildings and tombs. There is also a Roman style amphitheater, which could fit 3,000 people, and a monastery 800-rock steps high. Mount Aaron is a part of Petra, a 13th century shrine, which was built to commemorate the death of Aaron, the brother of Moses.
