Petra

Petra, originally known as Raqmu to the Nabataeans, is a historical and archaeological city in the southern Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. Another name for Petra is the Rose City due to the color of the stone out of which it is carved.

Established possibly as early as 312 BC as the capital city of the Arab Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan, as well as Jordan's most-visited tourist attraction. It lies on the slope of Jebel al-Madhbah (identified by some as the biblical Mount Hor) 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. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

The site remained unknown to the western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning poem by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage". Petra was named amongst the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007 and was also chosen by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the "28 Places to See Before You Die".

  • Garden Tomb
  • Petra 2007
  • Petra 2007
  • Petra - Garden tomb
  • Roman Soldier Tomb
  • Petra
  • Climbing to the High Place of Sacrifice
  • View down from the High Place of Sacrifice - Petra, Jordan
  • Petra 2007
  • Petra 2007
  • giordania petra
  • Petra, Jordan, 3.05.2010
  • Bab As Siq Trcilinum
  • Wadi Farasa
  • Petra, Jordanien
  • Petra 2007
  • petra, the soldiers tomb
  • The Garden Hall
  • Petra - Tombs
  • Tumba soldado romano (Petra)
  • Rocks of Petra - Petra, Jordan
  • Petra, Jordan, 3.05.2010
  • Jordania - Petra
  • Viviendas primitivas - Petra

Country:
Jordan
Rating:
10
Latitude:
30,3226171
Longitude:
35,4443835
Wikipedia:
Link