Petra in the Arabah

Petra Jordan - View of Treasury
Black & White View of “Treasury” in Petra
Photo by: taraskalapun, Creative Commons

Petra is a site in the Arabah, Jordan that was discovered by a Swiss explorer called Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812 and is considered to be, yet another splendid beauty in the history of mankind. Arabah is a section of the Great Rift Valley and it is located between the Dead Sea (north) and the Gulf of Aqaba (south) forming part of the border between Jordan (east) and Israel (west).

Petra represents the ancient world’s heritage culture. It is a beauty hidden behind layers of mountain. The ones who have seen it say it is a treasure beyond comparison. It is now said to be one of the seventh wonder of the world and it belongs to the UNESCO world heritage site. The entire red rose city of Petra has such a charismatic appeal that it attracts anyone & everyone who enters the city, taking them to a different world of divine beauty and mystery. Petra mainly is admired because of its picture perfect architecture, its complex structure, quality and the non mentionable mere size.

Petra is said to have its origin before 106 AD; its culture is said to have been flourished in almost 400 years old. The one’s who visited it say that it is a site that can never be forgotten. The city of Petra takes its name, which is the Greek word for “rock”, from the fact that it is most notable for its buildings and tombs that are carved directly into the red sandstone that serves as the city’s natural protection from invaders. Its popularity with tourists may also have a connection to the city’s Biblical significance. It is here where King Aretas called for the arrest of the Apostle Paul at the time of his conversion.

How to Get to Petra

This historical fortress is located 170 miles southwest of Amman, Jordan on the edges of the Wadi Araba desert. It is also 50 miles south of the Dead Sea and the only way to enter the city is through a narrow crevice called the Siq. One has to uncover a very narrow path of mountains, kilometer by kilometer before they get to see the majestic beauty of Petra.This path is only about five meters wide, with sandstone walls towering up hundreds of meters high on both sides. This long, narrow & not very well lighted gorge is very cool & soothes the visitors before it unfolds the mystery step by step.

A taxi is the best means of transportation to get from the Queen Alia International Airport to Amman. Remember to ask the driver to take you to the Wahdat bus terminal, since there are two major bus stations in Amman. Destinations are usually printed in Arabic on the respective buses, so if you do not read Arabic, ask to be shown to the bus that will take you to Petra.

Pictures & Photos

30 responses to “Petra in the Arabah”

  1. pamela says:

    i really like this one i think I’m gonna do my project on this hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

  2. saimon says:

    it was beatiful city colored by orange-red this is in jordan you know

  3. Samantha says:

    This website helped me on my research Than q
    ;P

  4. John says:

    I have been to Petra it is the most wonderful thing I have ever seen, amazing architecture, perfect symmetry, I definitely recommend a visit to Jordan- must see Dead See, Petra, and Wadi Rum, and while you’re at it..must go to Lebanon as well…Peace to the Middle East such a beautiful place…

  5. Selena says:

    this is sooooooooooooooo much help for my arabic project but i dont need to much info bc im arab

  6. Phainepy says:

    Wow, my little sisters name is Petra and my mom always told me she named her after an architectural wonder in Jordan! SOOOO Cool! I would love to go visit sometime after college whoever made this website thanks! It was a great help. ^-^

  7. jelly beans says:

    this is quite fascinating, i am a doing a project on the 7 wonders of the world so this came in handy.

  8. ginnyb says:

    Just came back from the Middle East and a visit to Petra. Rode a horse into the Treasury then walked further in. Got to ride a camel out. A very beautiful and overwhelming site.

  9. RAWAN says:

    THIS IS THE BEST IN DA WEST

  10. Tori says:

    I dont even need google for my project, now I can just come here. mabe Ill bookmark it.

  11. Helbert says:

    Wow.So great.

  12. paige says:

    i have to do a project on this…… this is sooooooooooooooooo not cool

  13. paige says:

    im petrafied of petra

  14. mrs finch says:

    blb bla awsome petra

  15. paige says:

    petra is soooo facinating (not)

  16. begamgharti,nepal says:

    Petra very very beautiful place i like to visit Petra.

  17. firmansyah says:

    I really want to go to petra

  18. raju says:

    this is really nice i am really appreciatable thing

  19. lameck says:

    nice place 2 be i long 2be there one time

  20. toni says:

    Beautiful site. Love the pictures. I want to go for a visit.

  21. young white man says:

    will it not be good for me to see this wonder,whaaaaaaaat a wonder.

  22. Christophe says:

    It soooooooooooooo famous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. olusanya Atofarati says:

    Oh’ thanks God for this site.petra is a place to be & to be there as God willing….

  24. nomi says:

    Jordan is a tradiontal and very cultural city I always enjoy his trip

  25. Vinay From Bangalore says:

    I think Petra is old city . Asome place In olden day’s very good architecture…………..?

  26. S.m says:

    This website is ridiculously amazing.Thanks to the person who made this website, it helped me soooooo much.

  27. ASAD says:

    I REALY LIKE THIS PETRA.IT IS A ASSAWAM ARCHITECRURE IN THE WORLD.

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