Arabia Weather - Petra in Jordan, is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and therefore it is considered one of the most attractive sites for tourists in Jordan, and also one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world.
Petra is known as the Pink City due to the unique pink color of its stone, and UNESCO has described it as “one of the most precious cultural properties of human heritage.” To discover more about this charming city, here are 15 interesting facts about it.
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Discover: The Siq Trail to Al Khazna - the main trail
Information and facts about Petra
- The city of Petra is believed to have been inhabited in prehistoric times, making it one of the oldest cities in the world. In the sixth century BC, it was home to the Edomites, who were distinguished by their skill in pottery making. Historians agree that the Nabataeans, one of the most ancient Arab civilizations, creatively carved Petra out of rock more than two thousand years ago, and turned it into the capital of their kingdom. The city was also inhabited by the Romans from 106 BC until 395 AD.
- Petra's wealth increased as a result of its control of the Spice Route, the main trade route used by caravans to transport spices, incense, and textiles from the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, and India to the West.
- The name Petra is derived from the Greek word "petros", which means rocks
- Petra was first discovered in 1812 by the Swiss orientalist Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was called the “Lost City” because it remained unknown for nearly five centuries.
- Only about 15 percent of the Petra site's features have been explored by archaeologists, meaning there are a lot of secrets to uncover.
- Petra was home to about 30,000 people, and was preserved and sustained thanks to the water engineering system for which the Nabataeans were famous. They used an extensive network of dams, cisterns, and reservoirs, as well as digging long-distance canals to develop agricultural activity.
- Until 1985, when Petra was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Bedouin tribe lived in caves inside the city. The Jordanian government at that time signed an agreement with this tribe, granting them exclusive rights to conduct tourism work at the site, on the condition that they move to a nearby settlement a few miles from the site.
- To enter Petra, you must pass through a narrow passage known as the Siq, which starts at the dam and ends opposite the Treasury. The length of the Siq is about 1,200 metres, its width ranges between 3 and 12 metres, while its height reaches about 80 metres. Decorations are found throughout the Siq, including sculptures of gods, animals, and more.
- The Siq is traveled on foot, and can also be used to move around on the backs of animals or carts.
- The Treasury is considered one of the most prominent landmarks of the city. It was given this name based on the local Bedouins’ belief that the jar at the top of its facade contains treasure.
- The archaeological site of Petra is spread with many landmarks, most notably the tomb of the obelisks, the silk vault, the theatre, the street of facades, the colonnaded street, the tomb of Sextus Florentinus, the tomb of Caesar, and the Corinthian tomb, in addition to churches, the Temple of the Winged Lions, the Great Temple, and other important historical sites.
Discover a unique experience... from Petra to Wadi Rum
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Learn about the history of Petra here
- Petra witnessed violent earthquakes, and among these tremors was the earthquake that occurred in the year 363 AD, which resulted in the destruction of many buildings in Petra and caused significant damage to the complex water system at the site.
- The ancient city of Petra in Jordan became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World when it was chosen in 2007 by a vote of 100 million people.
- Famous films have been filmed at the Petra site, including The Mummy Returns and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. These films increased the city's fame and attracted tourists.
- There are many hotels, restaurants, and rest houses in the vicinity of the city, in addition to shops dedicated to selling souvenirs and crafts, in order to serve visitors and meet their souvenir needs and desires.
280 artifacts dating back to different eras await you at the Petra Museum
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