Petra,
Jordan
Petra,
Jordan 
The
spectacular
rose-stone city was built in the 3rd century BC by the Nabateans, an
Arab people who inhabited what is now southern Jordan. They carved
palaces, temples, tombs, storerooms and stables from the rocky cliffs
of sandstone, tinted many shades of rose, salmon and pink by the
mineral content of the rock. From Petra they commanded the trade route
from Damascus to Arabia, and through here the great spice, silk and
slave caravans passed. In a short time the Nabataeans made great
advances - they mastered hydraulic engineering, iron production, copper
rafining, sculpture, stone carving - all probably because of their
great success in commerce. Archaeologists believe that several
earthquakes, including a massive one in 555 AD, forced the inhabitants
to abandon Petra.
Walking through the Siq, the secret entrance to Petra. |
The Khazneh, with two camels resting. |
The Khazneh at sunset. |
Petra
is
approached through a narrow 1.2 km defile known as the Siq. This is not
a canyon (a gorge carved out by water) but rather one huge block of
stone that was rent apart by tectonic forces. Just as you start to
think there is no end to the Siq, you catch your first tantalising
glimpses ahead of the most impressive of sights, the Khazneh, the
so-called Treasury. Carved out of solid iron-laden sandstone to serve
as a tomb, the Treasury gets its name from the story that pirates hid
their treasure here. The interior is merely an unadorned square hall
with a smaller, similarly empty room at the back. (Sorry all you
Indiana Jones fans, but that's all there is.)
The
other monument
that shouldn't be missed is the Ad-Deir (the so-called Monastery). It
is reached by a long, rock-cut staircase on the far side of the site.
On the way up, look out for the Lion Tomb - although the eroded lions
astride the entrance are difficult to see at first. The Ad-Deir has a
similar facade to the Khazneh, but is far bigger and the views from the
cliff-tops nearby are stunning (especially facing out to Mt. Haroun).
On the path to Ad Deir, the Monastery. |
Ad Deir, the Monastery, the hills in the background. |
Colours in the rocks on the way to Ad-Deir. |
The amphitheatre. |
The Roman Gate at the end of the Colonnaded street. |
The colonnaded street, looking back toward the street of facades. |
Caring for his camel. |
Bedouin child. |
The friendly camel. |
While visiting Petra, don't
forget to explore the many souvenir shops located in the town of Wadi
Musa, and at Petra itself. Some are owned and operated by independent
merchants. Others are associated with charities founded by members of
the Royal Family to improve the lives of the impoverished residents of
the isolated mountain villages. Along with the T-shirts, kaffiyehs
(traditional Jordanian male head dress) postcards, guidebooks, coffee
table books and other expected items, one can find wonderful embroidery
(embroidered blazer in photo), pottery and glassware, jewellery, and
other local handicrafts.
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This page was updated on 26 November 2007.Contact me at: patti.primeau@sympatico.caThis site was updated using Nvu and Style Maker. |