Petra - “A Rose-Red City Half As Old As Time”
4 August 2008: You can’t go to Jordan without visiting the majestic and ancient city of Petra.
Petra is a famous city carved out of stone, hidden by towering sandstone mountains in Jordan. This historical site was unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced to the West by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra was built as a capital city by the Nabateans around 100 BC.
It was famously described as “a rose-red city half as old as time” in a prize-winning sonnet by John William Burgon.
We got the same taxi driver to take us to Petra for 60 Jordanian dinars (~US$85). Each way took around 4-5 hours. That day must be one of the hottest days during our round-the-world trip.
In 1985, Petra was designated a World Heritage Site.
Petra is spread over a vast land area, and is full of mysterious charm.
Behind are ancient tombs carved into stone
The Siq
This impressive entrance leads through a dark, narrow gorge (in places only 3–4 m wide) called the Siq (”the shaft”).
It was formed naturally from a deep split in the sandstone rocks and serving as a waterway flowing into Wadi Musa.
The steep chasm blocks out the sun
The Siq leads to the treasure of Petra - Al Khazneh (popularly known as “the Treasury”), carved into the sandstone cliff. This is the most elaborate ruin in Petra. Its original purpose and date of construction remain elusive.
Imagine the work, sweat and blood that went into carving this building.
Inside the Treasury - Some features still look crisp and well-preserved.
Another building in Petra
You could walk around or go around on camels, horses or donkeys. We chose to walk on foot even though we were utterly exhausted and dehydrated.
The Theatre
It was so hot (~46 deg C) that we couldn’t finish exploring the whole complex.
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