Petra

The lost city of Petra has inspired a sense of wonderment in historians and explorers for centuries. Once the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom and a wealthy trading hub, Petra was hidden from the western civilization until its rediscovery turned it into a pilgrimage site. Today, the ancient rock city stretches out in a solitary wadi to the south of Amman. Hemmed in within its walls, a treasure of Jordan’s most impressive monuments and tombs await.

Exploring Petra is a patient but rewarding endeavor. Its elaborate beauty unravels slowly with every step further into the narrow canyon, the Siq. From there, it leads up to a much-anticipated epiphany in the shadow of the iconic Treasury. This rock-cut masterpiece is a source of admiration for every visitor, with towering silky stone pillars topped with a majestic urn. Past the Treasury, a vast valley of royal burials and cavernous settlements offer insight into the city’s far-fetched history. Finally, an uphill climb through 800 stairs leads the way to yet another spectacular monument. The Monastery “Ad Deir” resembles the Treasury on the outside. But, it is much larger and spacious, offering visitors a stroll in its Byzantine-influenced interior.

If you take a hike to the High Place of Sacrifice at sunset, you will watch the sandstone walls as they come to life with a blushy shine. It is no wonder that Petra received the epitaph “Red Rose City”. Today, it continues to be the crown jewel of Jordan with its acclaimed magnificence.