Email: Sister’s birthday. Loves travel, ancient sites. (Australia)
Happy Birthday!
Spectacular sandstone city of Petra was built in 3rd BC by the Nabataeans, who carved palaces, temples, tombs, store rooms & stables from soft stone cliffs. No visit to Jordan is complete without exploring this remarkable Ancient City.
It was from Petra that the Nabataeans, a community of master builders whose skills included hydraulic engineering, iron production & copper refining, commanded the trade routes from Damascus to Arabia. An earthquake in 555 AD led to the city’s demise, but many of Petra’s most impressive structures remain intact. A treasure trove of architectural surprises hidden along hiking trails.
The Ancient City is approached through a high-walled Siq – a crack in the rock torn apart by tectonic forces. Breathtaking glimpses of the most impressive of Petra sight, the Treasury called Al Khazneh. Carved out of iron-laden sandstone to serve as a tomb, it gets it’s name from a local belief that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure in the top urn. Greek-style pillars, alcoves & plinths are true masterpieces of masonry work.
The Outer Siq, riddled with 40 tombs is called the Street of Facades. An awe-inspiring 7000-seat Theatre. Ascends to the High Place of Sacrifice, a hilltop altar. The Royal Tombs illustrate the best carvings. The elevated Great Temple & Temple of Winged Lions, stunning. Qasr Al Bint is one of the few free-standing structures in Petra. One of Petra’s most beloved monuments is the Monastery called Al Deir. The magnificent rock formations of Petra are unforgettable.