Jordan is a country that is located in the Middle East and bordered by Saudi Arabia in the south and east, Iraq in the northeast, Syria to the north, and Israel and Palestine to the west. For over 1000 years the location of this magnificent city, and the artwork of the finest engineering and architecture, remained hidden as the locals guarded the secret of its existence fiercely. In 1812, a foreign traveler in disguise finally pulled the curtains to reveal the secrets of this legendary city to the world.
Highlights of the Popular Archaeological Site
Petra, in Jordan, is an ancient city that holds great historical significance. It was the capital of an Arab tribe that flourished between the 4th century BC and the 1st century AD. The Arab tribe was called the Nabateans. Petra was strategically located in the region which boosted the business and trade relations of the Nabateans with cross-border merchants and travelers. This led to the development of impressive architecture and infrastructure in the city as the Nabateans could control and tax the trade routes. Petra served as a trading hub and a center of commerce for the Nabateans.
Petra was considered a cosmopolitan playground as it attracted a diverse mix of people and cultures, and religions. It emerged as the center of power and influence because of its strategic location and attracted the attention of neighboring kingdoms like Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, among others, settled here in droves, making Petra a melting pot of cultural and artistic influences. They not only peacefully cohabited with each other, but also blended their artistic styles with the Nabatean tradition.
Wealthy merchants, traders, and travelers flocked to Petra from all over the ancient world to make it their home. The city was home to lavish palaces, beautiful gardens, impressive public buildings, theaters, and markets. Its monumental temple-like tombs soared over 100 feet in height. Remains of old churches have also been unearthed from the historical grounds of Petra.
The stunning structures of Petra were not constructed; they were ingeniously carved out of sandstone cliffs as Petra lays amidst a very arid and rocky terrain. Petra was never meant to thrive in such extreme climatic conditions with a paucity of drinking water and vegetation to support the growing city population if it had not been the center of trade and commerce for centuries.
A group of nomadic tribes transformed this desert city into an oasis of the ancient world.
Outstanding Features of Petra
The Treasury is a stunning building carved out of solid rock, featuring beautiful carvings and intricate facades. Then you have the Monastery. This is another rock-carved structure that is one of the largest in Petra. It has a large interior chamber.
Petra is home to several impressive tombs, including the Royal Tombs which are carved out of rock and feature beautiful carvings and intricate designs. Then you have the Petra Theater, an impressive structure that has the capacity to accommodate up to 8,500 people. It offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Here are 5 Facts About Petra
1) Petra is An Ancient City: Petra is located in a remote valley in the Jordanian desert and was built by the Nabatean kingdom in the 4th century BC. The city was eventually abandoned but its secrets re-emerged when the legendary city was discovered in the early 19th century by a Swiss adventurer.
2) Petra is Known for its Impressive Rock-Cut Architecture: As is apparent from the above section, many famous buildings and structures of Petra are ingeniously carved out of solid rock, including the Royal Tombs, the Monastery, and the Treasury.
3) Hub of Trade and Commerce: In the ancient world, Petra was the hub of trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. Its strategic location on the spice and incense trade routes made it a vital crossroads for merchants and travelers in the region which made it flourish over time.
4) Important Center of Early Christianity: Archeologists have excavated remains of churches and other Christian structures from the area. These date back to the 4th century AD which coincides with the times when Petra was at its peak of glory, power, and influence. This also proves that Petra served as an important center of early Christianity.
4) UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1985, Petra was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2007, it was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Today, Petra is a popular tourist destination and attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year.
Some Myths Surrounding Petra
Here are common myths and misconceptions surrounding Petra, Jordan.
1) Petra is a Lost City: Petra remained hidden from the Western world for hundreds of years but its existence can never be denied. The local Bedouins continued to live there. Ever since it was rediscovered in 1812, Petra has been a happening tourist destination.
2) ‘The Treasury’ held Treasures: Despite its name, there’s no evidence to believe that the ‘Treasury’ held any treasures or valuables, or still continues to hold hidden treasures. It is a famous, imposing building in Petra, and an ornate structure, but the true purpose of the ‘Treasury’ is still debated by archeologists. It is believed to have been a temple, a tomb, or both.
3) Petra was a Single Civilization: The Nabateans were the most well-known inhabitants of Petra, but it was largely a cosmopolitan ground that attracted settlers from the surrounding regions like Rome, Greece, Egypt, and other places. The city has a long and complex history that spanned thousands of years.
4) Petra was Abandoned: Petra was never an abandoned city. The location of the city, in the lap of rocky mountains and barren deserts, was extraordinary. It was an earthquake-prone area as it is believed that a series of earthquakes in the 4th century brought down Petra until it was rediscovered by a Swiss traveler in the early 19th century. The local Bedouins continued to live in the area but they refused to divulge the secrets of this magnificent city.
5) Petra is The Only Ancient City in the Region: Petra certainly stands out in the region due to its amazing and impressive architectural and engineering works but is not the only ancient city of Jordan. Excavated remains from archeological sites in Jordan have revealed the presence of many others in the area like Jerash, Umm Qais, etc.
