Getting started: About the ancient city of Petra
- Surrounded by mountains, the city of Petra was carved into rock by the Nabataeans, an Arab tribe who settled in Jordan more than 2,000 years ago.
- Petra’s design reflects Hellenistic, Assyrian and traditional Nabataean architectural influences.
- The ancient city features intricate, rock-carved palaces, houses, temples and tombs.
- Petra is also known as the “rose-red city” due to the color of the sandstone from which it was carved.
- The ancient city also had an extensive water management system consisting of remnant channels, tunnels and diversion dams along with cisterns and reservoirs.
- In the 4th century CE, the city was severely damaged by an earthquake and eventually abandoned.
- The area was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 and is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Where is the ancient city of Petra?
Petra is set in Wadi Musa, amid Jordan’s canyons and desert landscapes, and accessed via a long, narrow gorge between steep rocks. Situated between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, the ancient city is approximately 240 kilometers south of Amman, Jordan’s capital.
Getting to Petra
Turkish Airlines operates flights to Amman’s Queen Alia Airport and to King Hussein International in Aqaba. Petra is about a two-hour taxi ride from King Hussein International Airport. In Amman, buses depart from Amman Abdali bus station, leaving in the morning for Petra at 6.30 and arriving around 10:30. The buses return on the same day, at 17.00 in the summer and at 16.00 in the winter. We recommend confirming the schedule before heading to the bus station.
To get started on planning your visit to Petra – a world-famous destination – check out our Jordan flight ticket page!
The history and discovery of Petra
While the exact dates of Petra’s construction are unknown, some sources suggest that the Nabataeans built the city in the fourth century BCE, while other sources date Petra’s origins to the second century BCE. In any case, Petra is believed to have been established as the capital of the Nabataeans, a nomadic Arabian tribe who traded in incense, silk and spices beginning in the first century BCE. Petra became a prominent caravan center and continued to flourish, even after its annexation by the Roman and then Byzantine empires. Damaged by a major earthquake in the fourth century CE and subject to shifts in trade routes, the city was fully abandoned by the seventh century.
In 1812, the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across Petra, “rediscovering” the ancient city.
The architectural wonders of Petra
That many of Petra’s structures have survived over the centuries is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Nabataeans. One of the most distinctive features of this ancient city is its rock-carved architecture. The ancient city features tombs and temples, with numerous building sections such as the Treasury and the Street of Facades, as well as tombs, garden complexes, temples and churches. The Siq, the main entrance to the ancient city of Petra, is a rocky section, about 1,200 meters long, that begins at the dam and ends in the Treasury area.
One of the most beautiful structures in Petra is the Treasury, which is also the city’s landmark. The building has two floors that are about 40 meters tall and 25 meters wide; some archaeologists believe the Treasury was a temple, while others claim it was a storage facility for documents.
Upon entrance into the city center, visitors arrive in the theater district. Used by the Romans, the rock-carved theater could accommodate up to 4,000 spectators.
Near the Treasury is the Street of Facades, which contains a number of Nabataean tombs.
Many of these tombs bear distinctive features: the Palace Tomb is 49 meters wide and 46 meters tall, has four doors, and is named for its palatial aspect. The Urn Tomb, believed to have been erected around 70 CE by the Nabataean King Malchus II, is carved into one of the area’s cliffs. In addition the area houses a structure used as a Byzantine church in 446 CE.
The Temple of the Winged Lions, a temple complex, features a monumental entrance and sacred relics, while the Place of Sacrifice, at the summit, is accessed via a half-hour climb.
In addition to intricate rock-carved structures, the Nabataeans built a remarkable water management system, including a dam section, both to protect the city from floods and to ensure sufficient water for its residents.
Please note that exploring the city requires walking on unpaved roads, as well as negotiating uneven ground, narrow passages, stairwells and sloped paths.
Petra’s cultural and commercial importance
In addition to its architectural value, the ancient city bears tremendous historical and cultural significance. Aside from the magnificent ruins, human settlement here can be traced 10,000 years back, indicating that the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Various archaeological remains confirm that the region was settled by different civilizations, which have since vanished.
Set along one of the most important ancient trade routes of the era – the crossroads of Arabia, Egypt and Syria – Petra thrived; the city was a vital stop for foreign traders, who were willing to pay for water and shelter in the middle of the desert. At the same time, the constant passage of foreign traders exposed Petra’s inhabitants to new cultures and ideas.
Petra’s water engineering and infrastructure
As noted, Petra had a highly efficient water system and this ancient hydraulic infrastructure was as remarkable as the city’s temples and tombs. To prevent flooding and meet the water needs of the 30,000 to 40,000 inhabitants in and around the desert city, the Nabataeans built cisterns and reservoirs to collect and store water, as well as water supply channels such as pipes and aqueducts. In addition, there were dams, fountains and pools.
Archaeological excavations and findings in Petra
According to reputable sources, just five to 15% of Petra is known; thus numerous mysteries of this once-massive metropolis remain unsolved. Notably, however, numerous archaeological excavations have been conducted in the area, including the following.
- The garden and pool section discovered by Prof. Dr. Leigh-Ann Bedal is one of the most significant excavations, with the discovery of botanical materials providing credence to the theory that agricultural activities took place here.
- Dr. Maria Elena Ronza’s excavations included the Temple of the Winged Lions. There are also altars and sculptures here.
- Excavations in the dam section reveal that the area’s water system was a modern example for its time.
Things to do in Petra
To make the most of your trip to Petra, it is advisable to plan ahead – it’s difficult to cover the entire metropolis in one day. Tickets for a one-day visit or a multiple-day visit are available; if your time is limited, we suggest focusing on the highlights.
For example, the Siq, the city’s main entrance, is a cleft rock approximately 1,200 meters long and 3 to 12 meters wide. It begins at the dam and ends at the Treasury, thus, at the end of the road, you can see the magnificent facade of Petra, specifically the Treasury section, up close.
Also, consider the trails in the area. Depending on the trail, some hiking routes may take up to two hours, while others take up to five. Among these, the Al Kubtha Trail passes by some monuments such as the Siq, the tombs and the palace. You can select a trail based on your interests and your available time. Hot air balloon tours are also available and offer a wonderful aerial view of Petra’s breathtaking landscape. Camel tours are also available.
Finally, do visit the Petra Museum, which is free of charge. The museum displays what is not visible in the surrounding area and is, without a doubt, the best place to learn about the region from the Stone Age to the present day. The museum opens at 8.30 and closes at either 19.30 or 20.30, depending on the season.
Tips for visiting
The ancient city of Petra and its visitor center are open daily from 06.30 to 17.30. You can purchase tickets to the site, hire tour guides and get directions at the visitor center. The ticket office is open daily from 07:00 to 14.30.
The visitor center also offers brochures about Petra in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Romanian, German and Italian, along with various maps of Petra, including an aerial view. The tour guides who show you around the site can speak Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Hebrew and Greek.
Practical information about Jordan
- Capital of Jordan: Amman
- Official language of Jordan: Arabic (English is also commonly used in Amman)
- Jordanian currency: Jordanian Dinar
- Type of plugs and sockets used in Jordan: C / D / F / G / J type plug and socket
