The history of the petra rock temple in jordan. The ancient city of Petra, Jordan: description, photo, where it is on the map, how to get
Petra (Arabic البتراء reads "Al-Batra") is an ancient city located in southwestern Jordan, former capital Idumea, and later - the Nabatean kingdom. It is located at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level in the narrow canyon of the Siq. The capital of Jordan - Amman - is 236 km away.
The ancient city of Petra belongs to the new wonders of the world, and is also included in the list world heritage UNESCO. Millions of tourists come here to see with their own eyes rock city. The spectacle is really impressive, since it is impossible to believe that this was created several millennia ago.
Petra - the history of the city
The history of the city of Petra in Jordan began in the 18th century. BC, when the Edomites were the owners here (XVIII - II century BC), they laid the foundation for many buildings. Next were the Nabataeans (II century BC - 106 AD), then the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs. And in the XII century. AD The city belonged to the crusaders.
Who built Petra and why
The name of the city of Petra is translated from Greek as "rock", and it is not surprising - after all, the entire ancient city consists entirely of stone. And it is also called the “pink” city, since at sunrise and sunset the rocks really cast a scarlet and pink hue.
The rock city of Petra arose due to the fact that the Nabataeans - nomadic Arabs - managed to control the flow of water, which was important for the area. When there were torrential floods, people used cisterns and aqueducts - this allowed not only to survive the drought, but also provided income from the sale of water to travelers.
While great city Petra had a favorable location, being at the crossroads of strategically important trade routes. One of them connected the Persian Gulf and Gaza, and the other - the Red Sea and Damascus. Caravans loaded with spices endured the drought of the Arabian Desert for weeks. And then they were waiting for the secluded canyon of the Siq, which led to Petra.
For several hundred years, the spice trade brought the city a huge income. But after the discovery by the Romans of sea routes to the East, land caravans gradually lost their meaning in their existence and Petra became lost city wrapped in sand.
It is not known whether we would have known about the existence dead city, if in 1812 the Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt had not discovered and described it.
Sights of the city of Petra
Temples, tombs, baths, colonnades - the stone city boasts more than 800 ancient monuments, which are evidence that hardworking and talented people lived here.
To see this wonder of the world, you need to overcome several kilometers through the Siq Gorge. And you have to do it on foot. Already here you will be impressed sheer cliffs that form the walls of the dark corridor. Coming out of here, the first thing a tourist sees is the Al-Khazne Palace.
El-Khazne Palace - one of the main attractions of Petra, is the tomb of one of the kings of the Nabatean kingdom. The building is carved into a huge rock, has an elegant pediment and towering columns. To this day, it remains a mystery how the builders in those days managed to create such a structure - without scaffolding (there are no trees in this area) and special equipment. There is a version that the palace of El-Khazneh was the temple of the goddess Isis.
Going around the rock in which the palace is carved, a view opens up of many buildings carved in stone - these are former residential buildings, stairs, arches, and even a Roman amphitheater that could once accommodate about 4,000 spectators.
The city has two archaeological museum, many monuments of biblical chronicles - Mount Aaron, on which the high priest, according to legend, died; Valley of Wadi Musa source of Ain Musa (Moses). Also here you can see Kazr al-Bint - main temple Nabatean kingdom.
Another attraction that strikes with its beauty is the Ad-Deir Monastery, which is located on top of a cliff. The height of the building is about 45 meters, and the width is 50 meters. The monastery has only one room and a staircase that leads to a niche. There were once columns in the square in front of Ed Deir, various religious ceremonies were held here. Opposite the monastery, a cafe was organized for tourists so that they could hide in the shade and enjoy the beauty of antiquity with a cool drink.
Excursions to the city of Petra
You can visit Petra on your own or take a guided tour. To thoroughly explore all the sights, one day may not be enough, so we recommend staying at a hotel in the nearby town of Wadi Musa. It is there that the entire tourist infrastructure is concentrated. not numerous - in total there are about 40 hotel facilities in the city, prices start at $ 16, the average cost per day is $ 70.
What to bring from the trip:
- souvenirs with colored sand;
- figures with sights;
- bijouterie jewelry.
How to get there
Amman to Petra is a 3 hour drive if you follow the "Desert Highway". You can also go to royal road”, but then it will take 5 hours.
By bus
A bus runs daily from the Abdali bus station in Aman to Petra, it leaves in the morning at 06:30, the journey time is 3.5 hours. The bus goes back to Aman at 17:00. One-way fare is 10 Jordanian dinars (approximately $14).
Minibus
Also in Aman there is a Wihdat bus station, from where minibuses depart several times a day. The fare is 5 Jordanian dinars (approximately $7). Travel time - 3 hours.
From other countries
If you are vacationing in Egypt or Israel, then you also have the opportunity to visit Petra. Almost all travel agencies resorts organize tours to Jordan.
Entrance fees:
- for 1 day - 50 Jordanian dinars (70 $);
- for 2 days - 55 Jordanian dinars (77 $);
- for those who arrive in Jordan for just a day, the entrance to Petra will cost 90 Jordanian dinars ($127);
- guide - 50 Jordanian dinars (70 $);
- night tour(from 20:30 to 22:00) - 17 Jordanian dinars ($24).
106 km from Petra there is another interesting attraction of Jordan - the reserve, or Moon Valley.
Petra is an ancient city, the pearl of Jordan. It is located one kilometer from the city of Eilat.
The city of Petra was the capital of the ancient Nabataean state, which arose in the 7th century BC. A significant part of the architectural objects of Petra is carved directly into the red sandstone rocks.
In ancient times, the city was located at the crossroads of important trade routes, which ensured its prosperity. But after the opening of sea trade routes, the city fell into decay. Gradually, the sands hid the amazing architecture of Petra from view. Forgotten for centuries, it was only discovered in the 19th century.
Now majestic buildings ancient capital attract about half a million tourists annually.
Coordinates: 30.32887900,35.44257900
Byzantine church
Petra is an impressive Nabataean ancient city in West Jordan. All its magnificent massive facades, carved from red sandstone, and the surrounding harsh landscape dotted with historical monuments - real paradise for travelers. Petra was and is great religious city. There are many tombs, temples, shrines and altars here.
One of these gems is the Byzantine Church. It was built on Roman ruins around 450 AD. The church was a three-aisled basilica with a total area of about 400 square meters. All the aisles of the temple are paved with amazingly preserved mosaics depicting local and mythical animals. The cruciform font was surrounded by four columns, possibly supporting the dome. Around 600 AD, the church suffered a major fire and was abandoned until it was finally destroyed by earthquakes.
Its excavations began in 1992, archaeologists discovered 152 papyrus scrolls. Byzantine church is unique historical monument ancient civilization and is of great interest to tourists.
Coordinates: 30.33128700,35.44429100
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Siq Canyon
The Siq Canyon is located in Jordan, its length is one and a half kilometers, and it ends with the ruins of Al Khazneh. Previously, this gorge served as the main entrance to the ancient city and was used by royal caravans.
At the very beginning of the canyon, you can see the remains of a stone arch. Here stood the massive gates of the Roman legion, allowing you to tightly block the passage and keep the defense with minimal forces.
Coordinates: 30.32888900,35.44027800
Karak has been known since ancient times. The castle is a huge labyrinth with gloomy vaults and endless passages. It is located so high that you can see the Dead Sea from its windows.
Karak is located on the so-called "Royal Road" (or "Road of the Kings"), the caravan route between Syria and Egypt. It is not for nothing that bloody wars have been waged over this territory for many centuries.
The castle was built by the Crusaders in 1136. The fortress of Karak became at that time the main center of the crusaders in the area. Later it became a stronghold of the Mamluks and Ayyubids.
The main thing in Karak is the numerous tunnels, underground passages, labyrinths, rooms. It is very easy to get lost in them and besides, it is interesting. In some places, it’s just pitch dark, so a flashlight will come in handy.
Coordinates: 31.16485500,35.76190800
Tomb with urn
The urn tomb is one of the many unique structures in Petra. This is one of the five so-called Royal Tombs, which served as the burial places for kings and high-ranking persons. It got its name from the urn that crowns the central pediment.
The tomb was built on high mountain and dominates among neighboring facades. To get up here, you have to overcome several flights of stairs. Presumably, this is the tomb of King Malchus II, who died in 70 AD. The imposing façade has stood the test of time. The tomb stands on an open platform, along the northern terrace there are several pairs of columns. The inner chamber is quite impressive, its area is about 400 square meters.
In 477 the tomb was converted into a church, as evidenced by the inscription of the consecration on the back wall of the hall. This impressive building is very popular with tourists. There is a cafe with a wide selection of soft drinks and a cozy hotel located a few kilometers away from here.
Coordinates: 30.32762000,35.44943400
Aneisho Tomb
Aneisho Tomb is one of the many attractions in Petra. It was created around 50 AD. The monument is located on a hill, so it immediately attracts attention.
This majestic building is named after the brother of the Nabataean queen Shagilat. It has a beautiful facade with double eaves. Its structure intertwines Greek, Egyptian and Nabataean architectural styles. The tomb was a two-tiered room with a total area of about 400 square meters. A room with a massive table and two benches was equipped here, in which holy holidays in honor of the dead.
This place is of great interest to visitors. Near the tomb is a small cafe with a wide selection of soft drinks. Cozy hotel located a few kilometers away, here you can stop for the duration of the tour.
Coordinates: 30.32865700,35.44725200
The most popular attractions in Petra with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Petra on our website.
Individual and group
More attractions in Petra
I already wrote about this miracle, but then I found more photos and material. Collected in a heap and laid out again. Admire.
About 2,500 years ago in Jordan was built beautiful city named Petra.
It was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, which flourished for 200 years and was conquered by the Romans, after which the city sank into oblivion.
Civilization disappeared, and the treasures of the Nabataeans were not found. Where did they disappear to?
Treasury of Petra
The Nabataeans built the mysterious Petra, and now tourists freeze with admiration when they meet the city in the rock. Information about the Nabataean state came through the works of Diodorus, Strabo and Josephus Flavius, are mentioned in ancient Chinese sources about the Great Silk Road.
But there is no information about the origin of the Nabataeans themselves. All that's left is speculation. They may be the descendants of Ishmael (he had a son Nabaioth), the son of Abraham, or the lost tribe of Israel since the destruction of the First Temple. Or maybe they are a sect (the Nabateans who founded the city of Babylon after the Flood, or, according to E. Blavatsky, a mystical caste dedicated to the god of Secret Wisdom?
The early Nabataeans had a pagan cult. The main deities of their pantheon were Dushara and his female counterpart Allat, the mother of all gods. The finale of the tomb inscription, which has come down to us, reads: "and this mausoleum will be sacred and reserved in accordance with the custom of the sacred and reserved, which is dedicated to Dushara and declared reserved by the Nabataeans and Salamis."
During the Roman domination, Allat was identified with Athena, Venus, Dushara - with Zeus and Dionysus. And the late Greek narrative of Epiphanius draws an analogy between the Nativity of Christ and Dushara, which are celebrated on the same day.
The future Nabataean state covered the central and southern parts of modern Jordan, the southern and southeastern parts of Israel (the Arabian depression), the central and southern Negev, which was closely adjacent to the Kingdom of Judah. In the II century BC. in the history of the Nabataeans there is a powerful leap. Over the course of a century, this people turns from a nomadic into a settled one.
The Nabataeans became famous as skilled architects. In addition, they have mastered irrigation science better than other peoples. The Arabian desert bloomed with gardens only under the Nabataeans.
Most of the inhabitants of the kingdom became merchants. Now they set the prices themselves, collected the duty. They made Petra their capital, located at the intersection of three main trade routes, where they keep, according to legend, untold riches.
Speaking pro-Arabic, the Nabataeans created the Aramaic script, which would later greatly influence Arabic. By the end of the kingdom, the Nabataeans themselves are switching to the Greek language.
The sheikhs who reign at first are replaced by kings who strive for complete deified power. Areta IV titles himself as "he who loved his people". The Nabataean elite is related to the Jewish one. The mother of King Herod is a Nabataean queen.
The capital of the kingdom of Petra was a key transit hub where all the caravan routes of the ancient world converged. The Egyptians brought their goods to the Roman Empire and Arabia. The Arabians distributed frankincense and myrrh throughout the world through Petra. And in those days they were valued higher than gold.
The Nabataean city was not just a caravanserai on the way of merchants. He played the role of the exchange. Many merchants did not dare to go further through the desert and handed over the goods to the inhabitants of Petra, and they then sold it. Coins of their own minting were circulated here.
Nabatea flourished for two hundred years. In 106 AD the end of the independent state. A difficult victory was achieved by the Roman emperor Trojan. From the 4th century AD Nabatea gradually dissolves into Christian Byzantium and disappears without a trace in the Middle Ages.
Only Bedouins are allowed to live in Petra
Secret of the Holy Grail
For a year and a half in hot Jordan, in ancient city Peter's works expedition of Russian archaeologists. Our experts explore the dungeons of the legendary city. It is in them, according to some sources, that the untold riches of the Nabataeans can be hidden.
The city was built on a high architectural level: the skill of ancient engineers, who managed to gouge caves in the sandy rocks so that they would not fall asleep and wash out, is admirable. Arab art historians still do not believe that people could build Petra at all. They do not understand what methods were used by the nomadic Nabateans in such high-tech construction. The city was built very quickly and quickly populated. Its heyday came in the 1st century BC, and the last mention dates back to the 7th century after the birth of Christ.
In the rocks there are residential apartments and apartments. Almost everywhere there are places for prayers: on the one hand, there are recesses in the stone, so that it is more convenient to stand, and on the contrary, there are icons. There is a grandiose amphitheater, accommodating about 3,000 people and serving as a place for magnificent funerals.
According to one version, part of the treasures of the pharaohs is kept in Petra. According to another, a spiritual treasure is hidden there - the Holy Grail, in search of which the Crusaders came here. Historians argue that the Nabataeans themselves could well have accumulated enough gold and jewelry.
Today, the main occupation of the local Bedouins is trade. They sell mainly handicraft souvenirs for tourists, which are not of artistic or other value. And their ancestors did not trade in trinkets and home-made consumer goods, preferring goods made of gold, silver, and precious stones.
In the city here and there small jugs of treasures are dug up. In souvenir shops you can buy jewelry - bracelets, necklaces - with antique-styled coins. Yes, and tourists constantly find something antique in the sands - fragments of pottery, funerary urns. Those who are seriously interested in numismatics are sent to black archaeologists, despite the fact that illegal archeology is severely punished in Jordan. However, it is difficult to resist when caches are hiding somewhere nearby, and no one wants to believe that there are no real treasures left in such a rich city.
City of dead
The main place, long chosen by treasure hunters, is Al Khazneh. Translated from Arabic - treasury or treasury. In search of gold, the Bedouins even shot the facade of the building with guns. Interestingly, the top of this building is crowned with a large stone pot. Local residents cannot understand why it was necessary to decorate majestic building an ordinary pot, the place of which is in a pottery workshop. There is a legend among the Bedouins that ancient treasures are hidden in it. They say that it is worth hitting the pot successfully, and then the well-aimed shooter will literally be showered with gold and precious stones. But this is just a legend.
But where, then, are the treasures that, despite all attempts, can not be found, and were they at all? Deputy Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences for the scientific part, Doctor of Economics Vladimir Isaev believes that, taking into account the position of Petra in ancient world it, by definition, was supposed to store untold wealth. However, the scientist suggested that they had been looted long ago. Art historian Lev Maciel Sanchez adheres to the same version. He is sure that the inhabitants of Petra themselves gradually took the valuables with them, leaving the dying city, after the main trade routes began to shift north to Palmyra in the 3rd century.
Royal tombs in Petra
Jordanian guides claim that the heritage of the great Nabataeans has not disappeared from Petra. They say that under the visible part of the city there is a whole complex of caves, in which the treasury of the Nabateans is hidden.
To date, scientists have explored only a small part of the stone city. Those buildings that are close to the surface of the earth have been excavated. Only recently, literally in recent years, archaeologists have begun to make their way deeper. And they were immediately rewarded: by laying the excavation in front of Al Khazneh, scientists found burials unknown so far. It seems that Petra is only now beginning to reveal her main secrets.
Caves of Petra
People still live in the caves of Petra
Monastery in Petra, Jordan
Petra at night
The passage to the valley is possible through the gorges located in the north and south, while from the east and west the cliffs break off vertically, forming natural walls up to 60 m in height. In 2007, Petra was recognized as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Today, about half a million tourists come to Jordan every year to see Petra, whose buildings testify to its glorious past. As tourists pass through the kilometer-long chilly Siq Canyon, around the corner they see the Treasury, a majestic building with a facade carved from a huge rock.
This is one of the best preserved buildings of the first century. The building is crowned with a huge stone urn, which supposedly contained gold and precious stones, hence the name "Treasury".
The canyon gradually expands, and tourists find themselves in a natural amphitheater, in the sandstone walls of which there are many caves. But the main thing that catches the eye is the crypts carved into the rocks. The colonnade and the amphitheater testify to the presence of the Romans in the city in the first and second centuries. The Bedouins offer camel rides to tired tourists, sell souvenirs and water their herds of goats at the city's springs, whose waters quench the thirst of people and animals.
When Moses got in the way impregnable mountains, which he had to overcome, the patriarch struck the rocks with his staff - and they parted. Since the staff was curved, the road turned out to be winding. Therefore, in our time, tourists who want to see the unique sights of Petra are forced to descend into the deep Sik gorge through a narrow paved tunnel, the width of which in some places does not exceed three meters along the rocks, which almost completely hide the sky. Bas-reliefs are carved on these rocks, and along the way, an ancient water trough was laid, through which water flowed to the ancient city of Petra.
The city of Petra is located in Jordan, 100 km from the Arabian Gulf, in a mountainous area, at an altitude of 900 m above sea level. m., in a valley completely surrounded by rocks, on the eastern side of Mount Horus (on geographical map it can be found at the following coordinates: 30° 19′ 44″ s. sh., 35° 26′ 25″ in. d.).
The city is notable for the fact that many buildings in it - residential buildings, temples, a treasury, tombs, an amphitheater, monasteries are completely carved into the rocks. These buildings are so beautiful and elegant that they are a real work of art.
On the this moment more than 800 sights have been discovered on the territory of the ancient settlement - and this despite the fact that scientists claim that the ancient city of Petra was surveyed only by fifteen percent. As a result of a worldwide vote, the city in the rock was included in the list of the new seven wonders of the world.
How the city appeared
History of this unique city began as early as the 4th-3rd millennium BC, when the Nabataeans, representatives of the Semitic people, leading a nomadic lifestyle, decided to settle here. They chose the place for their settlement extremely carefully: accustomed to constant battles and the struggle for life, they decided to build their capital in a remote mountainous area.
They did not think about how to name the city for a long time - and it received the name Sela (stone), and modern name The settlement received "Petra" a little later, when the ancient Greeks translated the word into their own language.
The valley, located in the Siq Canyon, suited them best, since the city could only be reached through a single narrow gorge. In terms of defense, this was an ideal solution: even the famous Roman generals constantly failed here and, unable to penetrate the city, were forced to lift the siege.
Petra was also very well located in terms of trade (this can be seen by looking closely at the map), since it was here that two trade routes intersected: the first connected the Red Sea with Damascus, the second - Gaza with the Persian Gulf.
Thus, Petra was perfect place for the rest of caravans loaded with goods that traveled from different parts of the world and were forced to cross the harsh and hot Arabian desert. In the capital of the Nabataeans, tired travelers found shelter, food, water and traded.
It was trade that made the city extremely successful and prosperous for many centuries - until the Romans opened easier sea routes to the east, and the need for caravans disappeared, because of which trade came to naught and the history of the city of Petra gradually came to an end. .
Construction of Petra
Since the city was built both near and in the rock itself, the builders definitely had a hard time. Therefore, there is no doubt that in order to build such structures, they had to have considerable knowledge and skills: the ancient masters managed to create buildings that were absolutely not inferior to Greek and Roman sights either in decor or in architecture.
The water supply system that the builders provided to Peter cannot but surprise: about two hundred reservoirs were equipped here that collected and stored rainwater. Water was supplied here with the help of terracotta pipes from all sources located within a radius of twenty kilometers.
Despite the hot climate and waterless terrain, the inhabitants of Petra did not feel the need for water (if the architects had not managed to think through this moment well, the capital would not have existed for a long time).
What does Petra look like?
One of amazing features of the ancient city is that the rocks, consisting mainly of red sandstone, constantly change their appearance depending on the light, so Petra looks completely different every time in the same place, trying on all shades of red throughout the day (thanks to This gave Petra another name - the Pink City).
Petra was major city: from central square, on which the ruins of various buildings are very well preserved (not carved into the rock, but erected in the usual way), the highway stretches for several more kilometers from west to east. In the west, the road rests on the Ed-Deir Monastery, carved into the rock, the height and width of which are about 50 meters (the fact that it was once a Christian church is indicated by crosses carved on the walls).
Currently, archaeologists have discovered more than eight hundred different attractions in the city, for which tourists from all over the world come here:
- Temples, among which the most famous is the "Cathedral", a building decorated with mosaics and decorated with marble slabs. Several administrative records written on papyrus dated to the 6th century BC have been found here. AD;
- An amphitheater carved into the rock, designed for more than 6 thousand spectators and located so that you can see the main tombs of the city;
- Palaces, tombs and crypts carved into the rocks. Among them was even discovered the tomb of Aaron, which was built in the XIII century. by order of the Mamluk Sultan. He was absolutely not embarrassed that the brother of Moses, in whose honor he built the tomb, lived several millennia before this event;
- But the most significant and eye-catching attraction, which is a real wonder of the world, without a doubt, is El Hezne.
El Khazneh
For what purpose in the I century. AD a temple was carved into the rock, the height of which was 40 m, and the width was 25 m, it is not completely clear, although hypotheses, of course, exist. For example, one of the most probable versions says that El Khazne was the tomb of the Nabatean king Aref IV Philopatra.
There is also another interesting version that it could be the temple of Isis. There are other, more incredible assumptions, for example, according to one of the legends, the pharaoh once kept his treasures in El Khazna, and according to another myth, robbers who attacked caravans hid their booty in the temple.
The architecture of El Khazneh, in any case, testifies to the high level of skill of local architects: a miracle of this magnitude is difficult to create even today. It is surprising not only the greatness of the idea and the accuracy of the calculation, but also how it was possible to knock out such a high building when there are absolutely no trees in the area to make scaffolding from.
The building itself looks great: six columns are installed at the entrance to El Khazneh, and the building itself is decorated with magnificent bas-reliefs. The most mysterious decoration is at the very top: the temple is crowned with a huge stone pot.
Why exactly it had to be created there surprises many, but the Bedouins are convinced that ancient treasures are hidden in it, and if you make a successful shot, the lucky one will be showered with gold and stones (for this purpose they even once shot him, but, of course, to no avail).
When is the best time to go to Petra
Despite the fact that Petra is characterized by a hot and dry climate, before deciding on a trip, you should take an interest in the weather forecast and take into account the time of year. For example, December and January are the coldest and rainiest months, which are characterized by a large temperature difference (it can be + 15 ° C during the day, + 3 ° C at night).
It is worth rescheduling the trip if the forecasters promise showers, because in this case the precipitation is so strong that rescuers often have to evacuate tourists, as a real flood begins in the valley.
If you plan to visit this wonder of the world in the summer, then you should definitely not forget to take a panama hat and sunglasses with you, and do not forget about water. It should be borne in mind that hot and dry air can sometimes cause nosebleeds, therefore, in order to avoid such a nuisance, experts recommend taking petroleum jelly or an ointment based on it with you and lubricating the inner surface of the nostrils with it to prevent bleeding.
Today I will tell you about the main attraction of Jordan - the ancient city of Petra. It is located on the territory of modern Jordan, at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level and 660 m above the surrounding area, the Arava Valley, in the narrow Siq Canyon. The passage to the valley is through the gorges located in the north and south, while from the east and west the cliffs break off vertically, forming natural walls up to 60 m in height. In 2007 Petra was chosen as one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Petra was located at the crossroads of two important trade routes: one connected the Red Sea with Damascus, the other - the Persian Gulf with Gaza off the coast mediterranean sea. Departing from Persian Gulf caravans loaded with precious spices had to brave the harsh conditions of the Arabian desert for weeks until they reached the coolness of the narrow canyon of the Siq, leading to the long-awaited Petra. There travelers found food, shelter and cool life-giving water.
For hundreds of years, trade brought great wealth to Petra. But when the Romans opened sea routes to the East, the overland trade in spices came to naught and Petra gradually became empty, lost in the sands. Many buildings of Petra were erected in different eras and under different owners of the city, including the Edomites (18-2 centuries BC), Nabataeans (2nd century BC - 106 AD), Romans (106-395 AD), Byzantines and Arabs. In the 12th century A.D. e. it was owned by the crusaders.
The first European of modern times to see and describe Petra was the Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who traveled incognito. Near the ancient theater here you can see the building of the Idumean or Nabatean era. Monuments, built after the VI century AD. e. practically none, because in that era the city had already lost its significance.
01. Now about half a million tourists visit Petra every year. Entrance for a day is about 55 euros, for 60 euros you can buy a ticket for 2 days. View of the road to Petra. 
02. From here begins the gorge. There is a main road - flat, wide enough, almost all tourists get to Petra along it. But you can turn around and go down the dirt road. To do this, turn right at the post into the tunnel. It is quite difficult to go there, but you can feel yourself in the place of the Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who discovered Petra in 1812. 
03. a few more vids from above. 
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05. This is what the main road looks like. Before entering, you will be actively driven by a horse to get to the city, do not agree, the road there is very easy. But you can return back on the wagon. This pleasure costs 20 euros, you can’t bargain, since the tariff is official. 
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09. With the help of terracotta pipes, the architects of Petra created a complex water supply system and despite the arid climate, the inhabitants of the city never needed water. There were about 200 tanks throughout the city that collected and stored rainwater. In addition to connecting reservoirs, terracotta pipes collected water from all sources within a radius of 25 kilometers. Annual rainfall in Petra is only about 15 centimeters. To save water locals cut channels and reservoirs right in the rocks. 
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11. When tourists pass through the cool kilometer-long Siq Canyon, around the corner they see the Treasury - a majestic building with a facade carved from a huge rock. This is one of the best preserved buildings of the first century. 
12. The building is crowned with a huge urn made of stone, in which gold and precious stones were supposedly stored - hence the name "Treasury". The official name of this structure is Al Khazneh. The architects planned the construction of this temple in the former river bed. For its construction, the riverbed was changed, a grandiose project for that time. A tunnel was cut through the rock to divert the flow of water and a series of dams were built. 
13. According to the folk etymological version, the word “Treasury” subsequently came from the word “El-Khazne”. In fact, there is no direct connection between these words. Al-Khazneh literally means "storage" from hazan - store, store. The Russian word "treasury" goes back to the same Arabic word, but was directly borrowed in the XII-XIV centuries from the Polovtsian language. Famous cat. 
14. A few more photos of local cats, but I don't like them so much))) 
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18. The canyon gradually expands, and tourists enter a natural amphitheater, in the sandstone walls of which there are many caves. But the main thing that catches your eye is the crypts carved into the rocks. The colonnade and the amphitheater testify to the presence of the Romans in the city in the first and second centuries. 
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20. The very name "Petra", which means "rock". And Petra, indeed, was a city of stone, like it in the Roman Empire was not. The Nabataeans who built the city patiently carved houses, crypts and temples from stone blocks. Petra is nestled among the red sandstones, which are excellent for building, and by the first century AD, a monumental city had grown in the heart of the desert. 
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30. The end point of the route is the monastery of Ad-Deir. To get to it, you need to climb the mountain for a rather long time, or you can take a donkey for 5 euros and go back down on foot. 
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38. Ed-Deir, a monastery carved into the rock at the top of a cliff - a huge building about 50 m wide and more than 45 m high. Judging by the crosses carved on the walls, the temple served as a Christian church for some time. 
39. Not far from the monastery are located viewing platforms, here you can admire the view of the valley. 
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42. All the viewpoints were chosen by the Bedouins, who will extort money from you. 
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45. Get ready for a large number little extortionists and souvenir dealers. There is nothing special to buy there, prices in Petra are overpriced by about 2 times. 
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49. Some tourists try to save money and penetrate mountain trails without a ticket. For them, guards were posted on the distant approaches, who check tickets and chase off violators. 
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54. And this is how an alternative gorge looks like, along which you can get to Petra. Very beautiful, although the walk is much longer, but it's worth it. 
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58. The entrance to Petra is open from 6 am to 5 pm. Sometimes the city opens at night, you need to buy additional ticket. All the way to the Treasury is decorated with paper lanterns. 
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60. On the square near the Treasury itself, there is a small performance. 
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64. View of Petra from a nearby mountain. 
