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If you are planning on traveling to Jordan shortly, then Petra is a city that is well worth exploring. This is not to say that this old, beautifully designed city is enough to put a dent in your bucket list. There are hidden places of wonder waiting for you to visit so that you can learn more about the culture and history of Jordan and get that extra something special on your trip. With a long list of things to do in Petra, it can be challenging to know where one should start or how they should plan their trip and book their flight tickets.
About Petra
Petra is a city located in Jordan. This ancient city was an essential stop on the caravan routes connecting the Arabs with the Mediterranean Sea. Petra is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was used as a source of inspiration for many other ancient cities. The city was also one of the earliest known places to use coinage, making it a treasure trove for archaeologists and tourists. Petra has been in existence for over 6,000 years and has several characteristics that make it unique and impressive.
History Of Petra
Petra was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. An ancient Palestinian city carved out entirely from sandstone rock, it is one of the oldest continually inhabited places in the world. Petra was historically part of the ancient kingdom known as Nabatea. It began as a trading post for nomadic tribes. The city thrived for centuries due to its location along crucial trade routes and became a significant hub for the spice and silk trade along with incense, myrrh, and other commodities. People from all over the region would visit Petra to trade their goods with merchants worldwide.
Present Situation at Petra
Petra is still in existence today and has remained a popular destination, and the city is considered one of the most spectacular places to visit in the region and beyond. Petra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, which sparked a surge of visitors coming to see this ancient city. With many visitors, however, come many problems that prevent the city from being able to function as it once did before being made a World Heritage Site. While visiting the old town of Petra, it is necessary to respect the residents. This can go a long way in ensuring visitors remain welcome in the city by not disrupting the way those who live there do. It may seem harmless initially, but things like bringing too many items into museums or taking pictures in shops without permission can seem disrespectful and inhibit business with locals.
How to visit?
You need to know many things before you set off on a trip to Petra, so you should not go there without access to the correct information. If you have never been to Petra before, then a few things will make your experience even better. One of the most important things you need is to hire a local guide, who can show you around and give you all the interesting facts about this area. You can visit by booking flight tickets to the capital city Amman. You may get a car from here that can take you to Petra, and the bus service is also available from the bus station in Amman that can take you to Petra.
Exciting sites to explore around Petra
There are lots of fun things to see and do around Petra, but if you have your heart set on visiting the ancient city, you must have a plan in mind.
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The Roman Theatre
Despite its name, the Petra Roman Theater was actually constructed more than 2,000 years earlier by the Nabataeans. Although some of the old caves and tombs were destroyed in the process, you can still view several tombs above the theater, which were cut out of rock onto the side of a mountain in the ancient city of Petra.
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The Monastery
The Monastery is one of the fabled Petra structures, hidden high in the hills. It was constructed as a Nabataean monument in the third century BCE and has a similar design to the Treasury but is much larger. The crosses carved into the inside walls, which imply that it was formerly a church used by the Byzantines, are whence it gets its name. Starting near the Basin Restaurant, a historic rock-cut walkway with more than 800 steps continues the previous procession route.
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Moses’ Spring, Wadi Musa
Ayn Musa, or Moses’ Spring in Arabic, is a natural perennial spring that can be found 3 miles east of Petra near the major entrance to Wadi Musa from the north. The spring was created by Moses hitting a rock with his staff. A three-domed edifice is now standing above the spring, which is still flowing.
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The Royal Tombs
The intriguing Royal Tombs, which got their name from the elaborate ornamentation, are impossible to overlook. You must ascend a staircase that leads to the well-known Urn Tomb, which served as a site of devotion during the Byzantine Empire, in order to get to them.
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The High Place of Sacrifice
Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is where you may find the High Place of Sacrifice. It was primarily utilized for the sacrifice of animals to the Nabatean God. The ridge is not only a significant historical location, but it also provides breathtaking views over the ancient city of Petra.
There is no doubt that Petra is an excellent stop for history and culture, but it also has some exciting places to explore. If you love looking at ancient monuments and palaces that were once used for religious purposes, then this is a stop you should put on your itinerary. While you are in the old city of Petra, you must be respectful so as not to disrupt locals and businesses.
