Petra, Al-khazneh, facts about Petra, Jordan

 Petra

Petra was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World by UNESCO in 2007. The organization described the historic site as “one of the most precious cultural properties of man’s cultural heritage.”

Petra also goes by the name the “Red Rose City.” This name stems from the pink color of the stone that the Nabateans carved to build the city. 

“The Lost City” is another popular name Petra goes by. The Western world had no knowledge of Petra’s existence until 1812. In fact, no European had entered the ancient site since the Crusades before that year. 

The Western world “rediscovered” Petra thanks to Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer who traveled to Petra in 1812. 

Petra has been a popular film location in Jordan – and is iconic around the world. The Mummy Returns and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade both had their crews shoot a few scenes at petra

Petra is one of the oldest cities in the world. Archaeologists believe the Nabateans established the city in 312 BC.

It was the capital city of Nabateans, an ancient Arab tribe who inhabited northern Arabia and the southern Levant and arrived in Jordan around the 6th century BC.

Petra, inside view

The Nabateans didn’t call it Petra. According to the ancient historian Josephus, evidence suggests the Nabatean knew Petra as Raqemo, the Aramaic name of its royal founder.  

Archaeologists have explored only 15% of Petra. I think this is one of the most surprising and exciting facts about Petra. Most of the city remains underground, but it only means that there are more wonders to come!

Petra was home to three different peoples throughout history: the Edomites inhabited Petra from 18th to the 2nd century BC; the Nabateans from 2nd century to 106 BC; and the Romans from 106 to 395 BC. 

Despite having been home to numerous tribes, most of the remains archaeologists have excavated date back to the Nabateans period.

An earthquake hit Petra in 693 A.D. The terrible earthquake devastated Petra’s water irrigation systems and destroyed many of its buildings. 

Petra appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible. The ancient city sits inside Wadi Musa, which means “Valley of Moses” in Arabic. According to the Bible, Moses passed through the valley and struck water from the rock for his followers at the site of Ain Musa (“Moses Spring” or “Moses’ Well”). The Nabateans built channels that carried water from this spring to the city of Petra.

Al khazneh:

One of the most famous Petra Attractions the al khazneh is believed to the most elaborate and extravagant treasury in Petra. Light to darkness is what exploring the place will feel like but we bet you will feel enlightened when you come out.

During the walk as you reach the end of the siq, the great treasure Begins to emerge, the posteard Al-khazneh, one of the ruins of Petra, the most famous among them. The natural beauty and the remarkable architectural features of this place will blow your mind.