Petra.. A journey through the fragrance of history in a city carved from pink rock

Arab Weather - Petra, the archaeological jewel of Jordan and the capital of the Nabataeans, is one of the most famous historical cities in the world. It was not just a city carved into the rock, but rather a vibrant commercial center, fortified between mountains, and remained unknown to the West until the nineteenth century, despite its historical grandeur. Today, it is classified as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and attracts millions of tourists annually.

Petra is located in the heart of the southern desert of Jordan, 262 kilometers south of the capital Amman, and is administratively part of the Wadi Musa District in the Ma'an Governorate. The city is characterized by its natural immunity, and can only be entered through the "Siq" , a narrow rocky passage surrounded by towering walls, through which the sun's rays filter in a breathtaking scene. At the end of the Siq, Petra's most famous landmark appears: "The Treasury", an architectural masterpiece carved with amazing precision into the pink rock.

Petra has a desert climate, with hot summers and cold winters, with heavy rainfall that can sometimes lead to flooding.

Discover: Siq Path to the Treasury - Main Path

History of Petra and the Nabataean Kingdom

Archaeological studies indicate that Petra has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the 6th century BC, it was settled by the Arab Nabataeans, who excelled in carving rocks and developing irrigation systems and dams, making it a thriving cultural and commercial center. Their kingdom extended to the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula and reached Damascus, making Petra a meeting point for major civilizations such as the Pharaohs, Palmyrenes and Assyrians.

In 1812, the Swiss orientalist Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered Petra , and scholars called it the “lost city,” because it was unknown to the Western world throughout the Ottoman era.

Top landmarks in Petra

The vault

The iconic facade of Petra , believed to have been a royal mausoleum.

Learn more about the vault here.

Nabataean theatre

A huge theatre carved into the rock, seating thousands of people.

Column Street

A main street reflecting Roman architecture .

The monastery

One of Petra's biggest landmarks, it is located on a mountaintop and is reached via 800 steps carved into the rock.

Royal Tombs

A group of tombs carved into the mountains reflecting the development of Nabataean sculpture .

Petra Today: A Global Tourist Destination In 1985, UNESCO listed Petra as a World Heritage Site, and in 2007, it was selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Today, it is Jordan’s most prominent tourist destination, where visitors can enjoy a tour through various trails such as the Treasury Trail, the Monastery Trail, and the back trails that reveal the beauty of the city from different angles.

Discover a unique experience.. from Petra to Wadi Rum

An unforgettable experience in Petra

1. Petra by Night: Visitors can walk through the Siq lit by 1,800 candles to the Treasury, in a magical scene accompanied by Bedouin music.
2. Traditional Cooking Classes: A chance to discover authentic Jordanian flavours through local cooking workshops.
3. Jordanian Folklore Shows: A unique cultural experience offered by folklore groups in the region.

Finally, Petra is not just an ancient city, but a living testimony to the greatness of the Nabataeans and their engineering creativity. Petra attracts visitors from all over the world with its unique charm, and remains one of the most important tourist destinations in the Middle East. If you are a history and adventure lover, do not miss the opportunity to visit the rose city, where the past and the present meet in a stunning scene.

280 artifacts dating back to different eras await you at the Petra Museum