Petra
Perhaps the words of Dean Burgon’s famous poem: ‘Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime / A rose-red city half as old as time…’ reflect some truth about Petra. Yet words can hardly do justice to the true magnificence that is Petra. Some archaeologists have ranked ancient Petra as the eighth wonder of the ancient world – a truly justifiable claim. Petra is unique in every respect, having something to offer to the historian, anthropologist, archaeologist, geologist, architect and the naturalist, all of whom regularly come to Petra to conduct their studies and be in touch with the ancient past. You do not have to be a specialist in any field though to appreciate Petra because, once inside of it, you will be quickly awe-struck and you will want to know the how, why and where about it. This remote dead city is one of the great archaeological treasures in the world, undoubtedly; it is the most important famous attraction of Jordan. Much 0of Petra’s appeal comes from its awesome, multicolored sandstone high mountains; it is a secluded site of steep rocky slops , towering craggy mountain tops and high cliffs, into which most of the celebrated tombs, facades, theatres and stairways are carved… Nature and architecture concur into conferring a mythical aura to the site.
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As-Siq
The ancient main entrance to Petra. An impressive 1200 metres long, deep and narrow gorge of stunning natural beauty. The Siq is hemmed in by cliffs soaring up to 80 metres. Suffice it to say that passing through it, one gets to see all the typical Petraean features, bizarre-looking geological formations, colorful rocks, agricultural terraces, water channels cut into the cliffs, dams, and votive-niches carved into the rock.
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Al-Khazneh (The Treasury)
Just when you think you have seen enough dazzling sights in the Siq, emerging from it you suddenly come face to face with Al-Khazneh… the pride and joy of Petra and the most beautiful monument there. The architectural style of it was quite unique in the ancient world. Main inspiration was Hellenistic, Alexandrian Hellenistic, plus that unique encompassing Nabataean artistic touch. On-looking tourists usually feel dwarfed by the huge size of the façade. It is truly breathtaking, so much so that no amount of descriptive prose does it justice, it si better-experienced first-hand. It was carved in the 1st century BC as a tomb of an important Nabataean king; some scholars believe it was later used as a temple. The elaborately carved façade represents the Nabataean engineering genius.
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Qasr al-Bint
Probably the main temple of the Nabataean capital, it is the only freestanding building in Petra to have survived centuries of earthquakes and floods. Its solid-looking silhouette dominates a large paved holy precinct, which was open to common worshippers, while the temple itself and the alter in front of it were the realm of the priests.
Streets of Facades & the Theatre
Past Al-Khazneh and the adjacent outer Siq, we come to the Streets of Facades, rows of Nabataean tombs with intricate carvings. The theatre looks Roman but was executed by the Nabataeans in the 1st century AD, as the shadow of Roman influence hung over the Near East. It is carved into solid rock except towards the front on either side, where apart of it was built freestanding. Initially it could seat 3000 people, but was later extended to finally hold about 7000.
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High Place of Sacrifice
Accessible after a hard but enjoyable mountain climb during which the tourists climb up flights of steps cut into the rock. Once you have reached the top, you will be rewarded with the spectacular view of Petra down below. The High Place, which is well preserved, was the venue for important religious ceremonies honoring Nabataean gods. It was perhaps also used for funeral rites.