Petra

Wadi Musa, Jordan
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Last edited on Jun 9, 09 9:19 PM.
Contributors: Kate H. Elliot F. Show History
First To Review: Bahar K.
Kate H. says...
Added Oct 27, 2008
Petra has been at the top of my travel "musts" ever since I saw Indiana Jones when I was a kid. I finally got the chance to visit this past January and it was so much more incredible than I imagined it to be! I'm not going to talk about what you should see while you're there - I spent a full day wandering around and wished I had more time - but I do want to offer a suggestion. It rarely ever rains, but you may want to look into the weather if you're traveling to Petra in January. The three days we were there were foggy and rainy, which made it a quite different experience than I was expecting! I still loved every minute of it, and kind of enjoyed that it wasn't the typical experience, but most people there didn't have any rain gear and, trust me, the wind really blows hard in there when it gets going! Rain or no rain, it's an amazing place, and definitely one of my favorite places I've ever visited! If you do find yourself there when it's cold or wet I highly recommend following up the visit with a trip to one of the Turkish baths in town. It's a good way to get warmed up! :)
May K. says...
Added Mar 28, 2009
Petra or the rock-carved rose-red city ( Nabatean Architecture). The Nabateans came from Yemen to Jordan ; they were good traders and sculptors. They had their own way in storing water in secret enclosed area to avoid drought.

We walk through a long narrow pink gorge or “Sik” (1 km long and 3 or 4 km wide). The rocks are tall and steep sided that they won’t allow the sun to penetrate. While we were walking in the shade, we wondered “what the point of this entire long walk”. Then the guide asked us to close our eyes and proceed. When we opened our eyes we gasped. Amid the desert we see The Treasury carved in the rocks and glowing in the dazzling sun. At the top there’s an urn, it’s believed that it was full of diamond and gold from here comes the name Treasury. No wonder that Petra has been nominated as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Benjamin W. says...
Added Oct 30, 2008
I'm Jewish and have been to Israel a couple of times now, but had never traveled to Jordan since I, like many others, was a bit frightened by the idea of traveling through an arab country, especially as a Jew. But last time I was in Israel I got rid of those ridiculous preconceptions of Arab countries and I headed to Petra with a friend of mine. WOW! I've seen many of the wonders of the world and Petra is one of the most astounding feats of art and architecture that I have witnessed. I highly recommend people visit Petra and plan on spending a few hours walking around and taking it all in. Really incredible.
Pam R. says...
Added Feb 27, 2009
Petra is so amazing that I went and took all the info from Wikipedia... This is the most exciting place I have visited beside Jerusalem. And one place I dream of going back to. I was there in 1997 with Zola Levitt. Petra From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: one-navigation , search This article is about the Jordanian site of Petra. For other uses, see Petra (disambiguation) . Coordinates : 30°19′43″N 35°26′31″E  /  30.32861°N 35.44194°E  / 30.32861; 35.44194 Petra * UNESCO World Heritage Site State Party Jordan Type Cultural Criteria i, iii, iv Reference 326 Region ** redirect-Arab States Inscription history Inscription 1985 (9th Session ) * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. Petra (from URU $e-eh-{la}[-li].KI in Akkadian, "petra-πέτρα", cleft in the rock in Greek ; Arabic : البتراء, Al-Batrāʾ ) is an archaeological site in the Arabah , Ma'an Governorate, Jordan , lying on the slope of Mount Hor WebsterNinthNewCollege-0" title="- [ 1 ] in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba . It is renowned for its cut_architecture" title="Rock-cut architecture" class="mw-redirect-rock-cut architecture . Petra is also one of the new wonders of the world . The redirect-Nabateans constructed it as their capital city around 100 BCE. 1" title="- [ 2 ] The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced to the West by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt . It was famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a redirect-Newdigate prize -winning sonnet by John William Burgon . UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage." unesco-2" title="- [ 3 ] In 1985, Petra was designated a World Heritage Site .
Marjolijn D. says...
Added May 31, 2009
One of the few places I'm definitly going to visit again. Walking between the high rocks on the path leading to the treasury I wondered after a while were I was. Just then I turned a corner and saw the treasury standing aglow in the morning light. One of the best sights in my life. I spend 2,5 days here wandering around the places. There is this big open place full of temples and other buildings, excavations still ongoing. You can also go up in the mountains to discover other pearls. The roads are really well indicated and on a normal day you can just follow the stream of people. Go early in the morning so you can see most of the big sites before the tourbusses arrive. My advice take a map with you not to plan your tour but to put everything in perspective. The place is so huge. I also had a great time with the bedouins. My friend and I got talking to a couple of them and they invited us over for tea at their home and in the evening took me out for a night time BBQ under the stars, with a view over Petra. Amazing dinner. These were really open minded friendly people who are proud of their history and they have so many interesting stories and details to tell.
Sue W. says...
Added Oct 1, 2008
Petra is a great place, The Treasury is magnificent, as you walk through the long, winding passages you eventually spot this beautiful building that is carved out of the rock. The pinl colour just adds to its beauty. Don't just stop there, keep on walking there's a lot more to see. More buildings carved into the rock, this was once a thriving place. Make sure you stop and have a mint tea in one of the little cafes. The men that work there are really funny. You will have a great laugh with them. You can buy books on Petra and carvings too. Go and have some fun.
Karin M. says...
Added Sep 23, 2008
Take your time here - much time. As much as you have. The Bedouins here recognise any tourist staying longer than 1 day. They are amazingly friendly. Wander through Petra without a map, just taking in the scenery. Be open to be invited into cave flats by very poor but incredibly hospitable families. Have tea with the Bedouins and don't be shy to ask questions about their lives, culture etc. They are more than willing to answer. The days in Petra (5 altogether) belong to the happiest travel memories ever and I've got many good memories...
Tammy K. says...
Added Oct 8, 2008
Words cannot describe how beautiful this area is. You don't have to worry about which time of day to go, it's always amazing. The colors of the rocks remind you of a jewelry box that's been opened just for you and yet, around the next corner is yet another jewel waiting to be discovered. However, the real story is the craftsmen who carved these rocks into beautiful facades and left a legacy for all to enjoy if you can only get here!
Douglas B. says...
Added Oct 27, 2008
I suspect that Petra is a life-changing experience for many people. Unbelievable in scope and beauty, I only spent two days here and wish it had been twenty. I found the size of Petra the most amazing. Of course, the phenomenal building facades took my breath away, but the sheer number was astounding. One exploration is not enough. I plan to return as soon as possible (hopefully with my family). Good journeys!
Sandrine P. says...
Added Oct 12, 2008
Arriving in front of the Treasury through the Siq is one of my best travel memories ever. Just a few moments earlier we were humming Indianna Jones music and joking but as we got closer hushed awe fell over our group. I would recommand this to anyone. But the Treasury is only the beginning of a wonderful experience. Getting up to the monastry on the fastest donkey (named Michael) in Jordan was one of the funniest.
Eszter N. says...
Added May 1, 2009
Every step in Petra is a wonder. All day you just walk, up and down, and look how beautiful they cuold build more then 2000 years ago.
Petra is the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays..
Erin B. says...
Added Dec 30, 2008
So amazing - it's kind of hard to wrap your mind around how huge this site is, and they've only excavated part of the city. I didn't know a lot about Petra before but it was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. And on the plus side you can ride in carts so it's accessible for people with less mobility to visit.
Eliana R. says...
Added Apr 30, 2009
Petra is a very nice historical site. You might walk a lot, but believe me it is worth it! You can ride a horse, a donkey or a camel to get inside. After almost two hours of walking, you will see a church on top of a very high moutain. To reach the top, there is a stairway of app. 800 stairs.
Larry W. says...
Added Mar 31, 2009
You wind through a small canyon with 100 ft walls and exit at the main building (the site of the Indiana Jones movie). The city is fairly large with several building carved into the rock. You can take a camel in or out of the ruins.
Ivaylo P. says...
Added Oct 21, 2008
Photos and words cannot do justice to Petra. Hire a donkey, and make sure you have at least 2 days to explore Petra and its wonders. Whatever you do, do not leave without going up the hill to The Monastery. It is a humbling sight.
Arkady L. says...
Added Jun 5, 2009
If you don't go to Petra while in Jordan, you just spend your money for nothing. If you go there just for a one day it is better to go straight up to the Monastery, and then slowly return back observing everything
Alissa I. says...
Added Jan 31, 2009
Spectacular! Plan to spend at least a full day there, if not several. The camel ride, though expensive, was worth it.
Bahar K. says...
Added Aug 5, 2008
Petra is a whole city build into stone around several thousand years ago. Very impressive and mystical place.
Antonio M. says...
Added May 21, 2009
Feel like "Indy". Stunning place, known as the eight wonder of the ancient world.
Martin E. says...
Added Feb 2, 2009
If you're visiting Jordan, Petra should definitely be on your itinerary.   
Saousun J. says...
Added Dec 7, 2008
Must see in Jordan, Indiana Jones 2 !