Petra in Jordan

Petra this is unique ancient city was hewn from a towering rock wall; few of the imposing facades of its great buildings are freestanding.

 Once the capital of the Nabateaeans, a 3rd century BC Arab dynasty, Petra was forgotten for 1000 years and only rediscovered in 1812.  Since its discovery and up until the 1980s,
it was home to a number of Bedouin families who have since been relocated, an arrangement they are less than happy with.

 Set in a deep canyon and only accessible through a narrow winding cleft in the rock, Petra is carved from sandstone that takes on deep rusty hues interlaced with bands of grey and yellow. The most famous ruin is the Khazneh, or treasury, whose beautifully carved facade is the first thing you'll see when you enter from the siq. And if you climb to the top you'll get stunning views.


As one of the most spectacular sites in the Middle East, Petra has long attracted travelers and explorers.