Inside the rocks, the city sprawls out across tunnels and whole rooms materialize inside of the sandstone, their walls marbled with the red and orange hues of the natural rock.
The name Petra is derived from the Greek word ‘petros’ meaning rock and since 1985, the ancient city of Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcoming intrepid visitors from all over the world who are attracted by the wonder of this special insight into ancient times.Īlthough the first images that spring to mind when one thinks of Petra are of the glorious façade of the Pharaoh’s Treasury Mausoleum, as seen in Hollywood blockbusters such as Indiana Jones and The Mummy Returns, there is more to Petra than the intricately carved buildings that can be seen from the outside. It is thought to have been built around 312BC and was rediscovered in modern times by a Swiss explorer in 1812, who uncovered Petra beneath ancient layers of sand, hence the nickname, Lost City.
Located in Wadi Musa, Jordan, Petra is the famous rose-sandstone city, carved into the dusty mountains and has stood in all its majesty since the time of the Nabataeans, a civilization of ancient Arabic peoples. Considered to be one of the top ‘see before you die’, another travel bucket list destinations such as Iguazu Falls, Petra is shrouded in mystery, legend, and admiration for this fantastic architectural feat.