11 Images of Petra Inspiring a Visit

Experts suggest there was probably human life in Petra in 7000BC. They go on to say that it was the Capital of the Nabataean Kingdom in the 4th Century BC. Petra in today’s Jordan was on an important trade route back then. You will find Petra in a narrow valley east of Arava Valley which runs between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of  Aqaba on the Red Sea.

There are clearly signs of the wealth of this City. There are even more signs of the skills of those people when you look around. The Nabataean architectural style was very much carving out of the rock rather than building structures.

Immediate Surroundings

Petra’s decline resulted in its being abandoned for centuries. It is in a remote area and it was not until the early 19th Century that it was found again. The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs accustomed to living in barren deserts. It is difficult for ordinary tourists to imagine living in such a dry environment. Its climate is semi-arid with the annual rainfall of around 200 mm falling in the winter months.

The challenge the Nabataeans faced was to store that rainfall for use. It often comes in the form of flash floods when the water can be lost. The fact that the Kingdom survived for so long suggests they succeeded in designing the means of keeping that water.

The Entry Gorge

The means of reaching Petra is down a narrow, steep-sided gorge.  You walk, or ‘’hitch a ride’’. It is just over a kilometre long after which you emerge to see fabulous architecture cut out of the rock.

The Gorge helped with the City’s defence. While Petra became a client of the Roman Empire in the 1st Century BC, it was not actually conquered by the Romans until two centuries later.

The First Sight of the City

Petra became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985. It was no surprise because from the first moment you emerge from the Gorge, you cannot fail to be awestruck.

Petra’s nickname, ‘’Rose City’’ comes about because of the colour of the rock from which the Nabaeatians created Petra City.

Tourist numbers grew following Petra being nominated as one of ‘’The New Seven Wonders of the World’’ in 2007. Petra by night is just as impressive as Petra by day.

Ancient Path

You are likely to visit Petra on a hot day. If that is the case, take plenty of water with you, wear comfortable shoes and cover your head against the sun. You will find areas of shade but the whole idea of visiting Petra is to see it all.

Al Khazneh (Treasury) is its most famous landmark and it has to be in your Petra photos. It is 2 kilometres from the entrance and it will take you 20 minutes to reach unless you keep stopping for photos. You will so give yourself half an hour to get there. You can get a map showing the main sites before you enter.

Everything looks so dry so you may be surprised to see any sign of green. Signs are there. You will see the Royal Tombs just off the main path. It is possible to enter a couple of rooms.

If you enjoy hiking, there are plenty of opportunities to do that while taking in the landmarks. The Main Trail is 8 kilometres long so you will need up to 4 hours to cover it all at a leisurely pace while enjoying everything on the way. Ad Deir is not included in that. Other trails are shorter and the map will give you all the information you need.

If you are touring Jordan, you should think about two days for your Petra travel itinerary. Among the reasons for that is it will give you the chance to see Little Petra. As the name suggests, this is a smaller version of the main Petra site just to the north. It is part of Petra Archaeological Park and entry is free. There are fewer crowds than Petra itself.

Amphitheatre

As you wander around during your Petra visit, you will be taking Petra pictures at every turn. You will find the amphitheatre 600 metres from the heart of Petra that was built during the times of Roman influence.  It had a capacity of 8,500 and its design followed those typically built by the Romans. The secret was to ensure good acoustics. The difference was that carving out of the rock was very much the Nabataean style.

The Treasury may be the most famous of Petra images but there is much more. Ad Deir is one of the largest monuments in Petra. Dedicated yo Obodas I, It dates from the 1st Century BC. Its location on the mountainside requires some climbing, especially on a hot day. That involves 800 steps which might take you as long as three-quarters of an hour. The reward is not only the monasteries itself but the fabulous views.

Camels

Elderly visitors to Petra may not want to walk any great distances. Walking is not essential. The Bedouins have donkeys, horses and camels available for tourists. Camels may not seem to move too quickly but it will surprise you how much quicker they are than anyone walking.

Spices

The Nabataeans prided themselves on their agricultural skills. Middle Eastern cuisine involves plenty of spices but many have been imported from elsewhere.  The Nabataeans had access to such things because of Petra’s importance on the trading route.

Conclusion

Petra is a stunning site. You can include it in your itinerary of Jordan. Indeed, if you are going to Jordan, Petra is arguably the first thing you should plan. You can get down to Petra from Amman, Jordan’s capital quite easily. There are hotels for tourists within walking distance of Petra.

There are few places to compare to Petra anywhere in the Middle East. You should include it on your “bucket list” of places to see.