Jordanian Tourism Website

The "Rose red city of Petra", Jordan's most famous sight has captured the imagination of millions. It has featured in films including Indiana Jones, the last Crusade and the picture of the Treasury has become a symbol for Jordan. Petra's fame is well founded. Archeological investigations date early settlements in the area to 9000 years ago. However, Petra's path to greatness started in the 6th century BCE when the Nomadic Nabatean tribe settled in the region. Their income grew rapidly from taxing the trade routes that passed through their lands from the southern Arabian deserts and Red Sea to the north. Petra also proved easily defensible, being surrounded by mountains with no easy passage into the city. This proved invaluable when the Seleucids tried to conquer the city.

As the Nabateans expanded northwards there increasing power and wealth began to disturb the Romans, who initially could make no gains against the Nabateans. However, over time the Romans took control over large amounts of their land, reducing their power tax dramatically. In106 CE the Romans took over Petra in a deal that had been struck with the dead King Rabbel II. The agreement was that the Romans would not attack during his lifetime but could take over after he died.

With the Romans came the usual colonnades, temples, theatres and baths. The city once again began to thrive under the auspices of the Roman empire. However when the trade routes shifted to the sea and Syria Petra's monopoly dwindled. People seem to have begun leaving the city from this time and earthquakes destroyed the remaining free standing buildings in 363 CE. Petra remained a myth until it was rediscovered by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.

Petra is entered through the famous siq, a narrow gorge which snakes through the rock for over a mile and leads up to the Treasury. It is possible to ride on horseback or in a carriage, which costs around GBP 10. The most popular option is to walk though. Entrance to the sight is around GBP15 and the best times to visit is early morning or evening when the rocks glow red.