Petra

Petra Al-Khazneh photo courtesy of Jordan Tourist BoardOften described as the eighth wonder of the ancient world, it is without doubt that Jordan’s most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock more than 2000 years ago, turning it into an important junction for the silk, spice, and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. Entrance to the city is through the Siq, a narrow gorge, which is flanked on either side by soaring 80 meter-high cliffs. The Al-Khazneh (Treasury) is a massive facade, 30m wide and 43m high, carved out of the sheer, dusty pink, rock-face and dwarfs everything around it. It was carved in the early 1st century as the tomb of an important Nabataean king and reprisents the engineering genius of these ancient people. The treasury is just the first of the many wonders that make up Petra. As you enter the vally, you will be overwhelmed by the natural beauty of this place and its outstanding architectural achievements. Petra is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to See

  • The city itself: the siq and the Treasury
  • The 1st century Deir (Monastery)
  • A 15th century shrine built to commemorate the death of Aaron, brother of Moses

Museums

  • Petra Archaeological Museum
  • Petra Nabataean Museum

Also tagged with: Middle East, Jordan, Helpful Information


Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.