| Petra, Jordan --- 3 March 2006 |
Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom from about 600BC until conquered by the
Romans in 106AD and remained a Roman colony until about 400AD. Much was built in Petra
by the Nabataeans, further developed by the Romans, and remains today as an important
archaeological site. It was the highlight of our trip to Jordan and one of the most amazing
places we have visited.
Romans in 106AD and remained a Roman colony until about 400AD. Much was built in Petra
by the Nabataeans, further developed by the Romans, and remains today as an important
archaeological site. It was the highlight of our trip to Jordan and one of the most amazing
places we have visited.
From the ticket office of the archaeological park we walked about a kilometer (0.6 miles) over
a path occasionally bordered by minor ancient monuments and tombs. That walk brought us to
the beginning of a narrow canyon, a crack in the mountain about five meters (15ft) wide,
known as the siq, at the bottom of which is a path bordered by 180-meter (600 ft.) high
cliffs. We walked through the siq for about half an hour and came to a canyon around 100
meters (330 ft.) wide. Carved into the face of that canyon is the well-preserved 40-meter
(130 ft,) high columned facade of an impressive building known as The Treasury, or Khazneh;
behind the facade is a large room.
a path occasionally bordered by minor ancient monuments and tombs. That walk brought us to
the beginning of a narrow canyon, a crack in the mountain about five meters (15ft) wide,
known as the siq, at the bottom of which is a path bordered by 180-meter (600 ft.) high
cliffs. We walked through the siq for about half an hour and came to a canyon around 100
meters (330 ft.) wide. Carved into the face of that canyon is the well-preserved 40-meter
(130 ft,) high columned facade of an impressive building known as The Treasury, or Khazneh;
behind the facade is a large room.
Entering the siq, a narrow crack in the
mountain, created by tectonic forces
mountain, created by tectonic forces
In the siq. Note the small
human figures in the photo.
human figures in the photo.
At the end of the siq we came to the Treasury
(Khazneh), about 40 meters (130 ft) high
(Khazneh), about 40 meters (130 ft) high
Walking in the siq
Continuing to walk along the bottom of the canyon we explored many similar structures with
elaborate facades carved into the cliffs and fronting man-made caves. We also found other
types of archaeological structures such as tombs, houses, a large amphitheater, and a
marketplace.
elaborate facades carved into the cliffs and fronting man-made caves. We also found other
types of archaeological structures such as tombs, houses, a large amphitheater, and a
marketplace.
Royal Tombs,
Petra
Petra
Petra monuments. Camels can be rented
Amphitheater built by the Nabataeans, expanded by the Romans
Tombs, Petra, Jordan
In Petra we also found some interesting rock formations and colors.
Caves and multi-colored rocks
Tourists looking out of a Petra cave
The Nabataeans had an almost impenetrable base in Petra, well able to defend themselves
until defeat in 106AD by the Romans, who added to the site some buildings such as baths and
colonnaded streets. Among the buildings we visited in Petra was an early Christian church
with a beautiful mosaic floor.
until defeat in 106AD by the Romans, who added to the site some buildings such as baths and
colonnaded streets. Among the buildings we visited in Petra was an early Christian church
with a beautiful mosaic floor.
Mosaic floor of a Christian church
built in late Roman times.
built in late Roman times.
Most of the structures in Petra were built by the Nabataean Arabs who dominated the area
before the time of Christ and grew extremely wealthy. That wealth is said to have been
from tolls charged caravans passing through Petra-controlled territory on their way between
Egypt and Syria and/or providing goods and services to those caravans.
before the time of Christ and grew extremely wealthy. That wealth is said to have been
from tolls charged caravans passing through Petra-controlled territory on their way between
Egypt and Syria and/or providing goods and services to those caravans.
We had lunch in a restaurant within the Petra archaeological zone and continued our
explorations in the afternoon. This was an unforgettable day!
explorations in the afternoon. This was an unforgettable day!