Petra

The magnificent city of Petra, capital of the industrious Nabataean Arabs, is Jordan’s most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction. Located 240 km south of Amman and 120 km north of Aqaba, this World Wonder draws visitors from every corner of the globe.

Petra’s prosperity began in the 1st century BC as the Nabataean Empire grew wealthy through the trade of precious goods like frankincense, myrrh, and spices. The city is famously known as the Rose-Red City, a name derived from the spectacular color of the rock from which its complex structures were carved. The Nabataeans showcased their genius by carving intricate tombs into the mountainsides, alongside temples and a large theater.

Annexed by the Romans and later influenced by the Byzantines, Petra continued to thrive until a massive earthquake in 363 AD crippled the city. It was subsequently abandoned, fading into obscurity until its ‘rediscovery’ in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt.

Today, Petra is recognized not just for its monumental carvings, but as a site where 10,000 years of human settlement can be traced, making it a unique fusion of natural, cultural, archaeological, and geological features. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, Petra remains one of the world’s must-see destinations.