Petra was the impressive capital of the Nabataean kingdom from around the 6th century BC. The kingdom was absorbed into the Roman Empire in AD 106 and the Romans continued to expand the city. An important center for trade and commerce, Petra continued to flourish until a catastrophic earthquake destroyed buildings and crippled vital water management systems around AD 663. After Saladin's conquest of the Middle East in 1189, Petra was abandoned and the memory of it was lost to the West.
The ruins remained hidden to most of the world until the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, disguised as an Arab scholar, infiltrated the Bedouin-occupied city in 1812. Burckhardt's accounts of his travels inspired other Western explorers and historians to discover the ancient city further. The most famous of these was David Roberts, a Scottish artist who created accurate and detailed illustrations of the city in 1839.
The first major excavations of the site were in 1929 after the forming of Trans-Jordan. Since that time, Petra has become by far Jordan's largest tourist attraction. The site was included in the Steven Spielberg movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in 1989 and was chosen in July 2007 as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Step into the captivating history of Petra, an ancient city shrouded in mystery and marvels. Carved into the rose-colored cliffs of southern Jordan, Petra's origins date back to as early as the 5th century BCE when it was the capital of the Nabatean Kingdom, a flourishing trade center connecting Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean.
Petra's strategic location along ancient trade routes enabled its inhabitants to amass wealth and influence, evident in the city's remarkable architecture and sophisticated water management systems. The Nabateans skillfully carved magnificent temples, tombs, and dwellings directly into the sandstone cliffs, showcasing their mastery of engineering and artistry.
During its heyday, Petra thrived as a cosmopolitan hub, welcoming merchants, travelers, and pilgrims from far and wide. The city's prosperity reached its zenith under Nabatean rule, but its fortunes waned with the decline of the kingdom and the rise of competing powers in the region.
In the centuries that followed, Petra faded into obscurity, its existence known only to local Bedouin tribes. It wasn't until the early 19th century that Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered Petra, unveiling its splendor to the world once more.
Today, Petra stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic archaeological wonders on Earth. Visitors can wander through the narrow siq, a natural gorge flanked by towering cliffs, before emerging to behold the breathtaking facade of the Treasury, Petra's most iconic monument.
Exploring Petra is a journey through time, where each carved facade and ancient ruin whispers tales of a bygone era. Whether tracing the footsteps of ancient traders, marveling at the ingenuity of Nabatean craftsmanship, or simply basking in the beauty of this desert oasis, Petra invites travelers to delve into the rich tapestry of its history and uncover the secrets of a lost civilization.
