Perhaps the most famous of Jordan’s iconic images is that of the ancient Nabatean city of Petra. Known locally as the rose-red city thanks to the warm hues of the stone of the valley from which it is carved, Petra is one of the most important and well-known archaeological sites in the world and an absolute must-visit for any tourist travelling to Jordan.
Although it is not known exactly when Petra was built, historians have estimated that it could have been established as early as 312 BC. In the 4th Century AD the city was annexed to the Roman Empire, damaged by an earthquake and then taken over by the Bedouins, until the 1800’s when the lost city was rediscovered by Swiss explorer, Johannes Burckhardt.
Today Petra remains one of Jordan’s most popular and impressive tourism attractions thanks to its incredible history, huge scale and memorably evocative atmosphere.
The first thing to remember on any visit to the spectacular site, is that the whole area spans at total of 2,640 acres, meaning that you will need to wake up early in order to make the most of the day and cover as much ground as you can.
Whether you are exploring on foot on your own, or with an expert local guide, make sure not to miss the most impressive architectural feats such as the magnificent Treasury, the Street of Facades, the Theatre, the Monastery or one of the many tombs.
