The main goal of my trip to Jordan was the magical Petra — the country’s top tourist attraction. I remember that the desire to visit this place first appeared back in my youth: in a collection of desktop wallpapers I once saw an image of a strikingly bright passage through the mountains, and I thought that one day I absolutely had to see it in person. After arriving in Jordan, I searched for that image online and realized that it actually showed not Petra at all, but Antelope Canyon in the United States. Still, this journey turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
The history of magical Petra
The first settlements on the territory of Petra appeared more than 2,000 years ago. As early as the late 7th century BC, Nabataean burials began to appear on the site of the modern complex. Later, the city became the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom and an important point on the Silk Road. The ancient Nabataean state existed for several centuries, and Petra amazed visitors with its advanced culture and architecture.
In 106 AD, the Nabataean Kingdom was conquered by the Roman emperor Trajan and transformed into the province of Arabia. The capital was moved to Bosra, a settlement located in what is now Syria.
Over time, Petra fell into decline, and from the 16th century onward, all references to the settlement disappeared. The city was given a second life in 1812, when a Swiss traveler asked a local resident to show him the place where, according to rumors, a lost city was hidden.
Today, Petra is one of Jordan’s main tourist destinations, attracting travelers from all over the world. In 2024, the ancient city was visited by 457,215 people. According to locals, the number of visitors has recently decreased, largely due to the tense situation in the region.
I would divide Petra into several zones. The first point of interest for visitors is a long, winding gorge carved into the rock — you can already take some striking photos here. The next stop on the route is Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury of the Pharaoh, the most recognizable landmark of Petra. Beyond that, travelers can walk across a vast area filled with ruins of ancient structures and monumental buildings carved directly into the cliffs.
Visitors can choose their own routes through Petra. I read that many people use the services of local guides, but I decided to explore on my own and walk to the Monastery of Ad Deir, carved into the rock at the end of the 1st century. In addition to the sites already mentioned, the city contains an amphitheater, tombs, sanctuaries, and many other structures. Since 1985, Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My entire walk took about four hours. I’ve read that some travelers come here for several days, stay overnight in nearby hotels, and return to Petra again the next morning.
Many of Petra’s landmarks deserve a separate story, and I will dedicate my next article to them. There, I’ll also explain how to get to the ancient city from Amman on your own.
Enjoy your travels!
