HOLY JORDAN BLOG

Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Holy Jordan, Meaningful Travel

The City of Petra is a Jordanian Treasure

October 5, 2021

The ancient stone city of Petra is undoubtedly one of Jordan's most valuable treasures.

Carved into beautiful rose red-colored rock with exquisite artistic details and surrounded by large, vibrant mountains and canyons, Petra was once an immensely important trading center and the capital of the Nabataean empire beginning in the 4th century B.C. The city is filled with immensely significant historic and architectural evidence that provides a glimpse into the lives, stories, and people of past civilizations. Additionally, Petra is important in the Christian faith as it was part of the route that Moses and his people took on their Exodus journey.

Screen Shot 2021-10-04 at 1.36.27 PM

In 1985, the Jordanian city was announced a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in 2007 it was named one of the seven wonders of the world. “The fusion of Hellenistic architectural facades with traditional Nabataean rock-cut temple/tombs represents a unique artistic achievement and an outstanding architectural ensemble of the first centuries BC to AD,” UNESCO reports.

Screen Shot 2021-10-04 at 1.35.34 PM

Following strong earthquakes coupled with the city’s commercial decline, Petra sat in ruins for centuries until Swiss explorer, Johann Burckhardt rediscovered the lost wonder in the early 1800s. Today, Petra is one of the most important archeological and historic sites in the world, attracting thousands of tourists from across the globe.

Screen Shot 2021-10-04 at 1.50.21 PM

Located only three hours south of Jordan’s capital city of Amman, guests can choose to visit Petra for a day trip or opt for an overnight experience and stay at one of the nearby hotels, including the Petra Marriott Hotel and Movenpick Resort Petra. Regardless of the choice, the ancient treasure is certainly a must-see.

Screen Shot 2021-10-04 at 1.36.45 PM

 

By Leen Hajjar
Leen Hajjar

Leen Hajjar, born and raised in Amman, is JTBNA's blog editor. A recent graduate from Villanova University with a master's degree in Communication, Leen focuses on media analysis, specifically mainstream media’s portrayal of Arabs and the Middle East. Her previous experience as a writer for Al Arabiya English, inspired stories that shed light on the diverse and positive attributes of the Arab world, aiming to provide a more comprehensive representation of the region and its people.

Subscribe to our Blog

MY JORDAN JOURNAL

L1@2x

Want Updates on Other Experiences?
Visit Our General Blog.

Explore More

10