Where is the rock city of Petra. The ancient city of Petra, Jordan: description, photo, where it is on the map, how to get
Ancient city of Petra- the capital of Idumea (Edom), later the capital of the Nabatean kingdom, perhaps the main attraction of Jordan.
The ancient city of Petra in Jordan
Petra is located on a hill about 900 meters above sea level and 660 meters above the Arava valley that surrounds the city. You can get into the valley through the gorges located in the south and in the north, but in the east and west the cliffs break off sheer and create impregnable walls up to 60 meters in height.
Today, ancient temples, palaces, an ancient theater, tombs and other buildings carved in stone and in varying degrees preserved to our time. These buildings were erected by different owners of the city and at different times, while the city passed from hand to hand from the Edomites to the Nabataeans, from the Romans to the Byzantines and, finally, to the Arabs. For a while, even the crusaders owned it. That is why, next to the ancient theater, there is a building erected by the Edomites or Nabataeans. It will take a lot of time to walk around Petra, there are about 800 interesting objects here. At the same time, scientists believe that the territory of Petra has been studied only by 15%, and the rest is fraught with many secrets and mysteries.
History of Petra
Its history began over 4000 years ago. In the 4th-3rd centuries BC, the path of the “road of incense” lay here, and therefore caravans temporarily lived in this place, waiting out bad weather and dust storms. Later, the Nabatean Arab nomads settled here. In the rocks they built their capital. Then, when the state of Edom was formed, a village with the name Sela, which means stone, also appeared here. Later, the Greeks translated the "stone" into "Peter", which gave modern name this city.
From the 1st century AD, the Nabataeans voluntarily joined the Roman Empire, which gave impetus to the development of the city and the building of the city. The earthquake of 363 severely damaged Petra and the inhabitants left this city, and the nomads again became its inhabitants. In the 12th century, Petra was occupied by the crusaders.
The forgotten city of Petra was found in 1812 by the traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, having learned from the Bedouins about the existence of the city. Later, accompanied by guides, he reached the ruins of Petra in Jordan.
Al Khazneh- the famous temple in the rock in Petra. Built in the 1st century AD, it is a building carved into the rock. The exact purpose of the temple in the rock is unknown, it is assumed that there was a tomb of one of the kings.
Sights of Petra
The main objects and attractions of Petra include:
- Siq Canyon
- Ancient settlement of Al-Beidha
- Temple of Al-Khazneh
- Amphitheater of Petra
- Ad Deir
- Temple of the Winged Lions
- Dushara Temple or Pharaoh's Daughter's Palace
- Supreme Place of Sacrifice
- Byzantine church
- Architectural complex Djin Blocks
- silk tomb
- palace tomb
- Aneisho Tomb
- Corinthian tomb
And much more. This is far from full list sights of Petra.
Movies filmed in Petra
Movies such as:
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977, directed by Sam Wanamaker)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, directed by Steven Spielberg)
- Mortal Kombat 2: Annihilation (1997, directed by John Leonetti)
- Passion in the Desert (1998, directed by Lavinia Currier)
- Arabian Nights (2000, directed by Steve Barron)
- "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009, directed by Michael Bay).
- "Live life" (Brazil, 2009, director Jaime Monjardin).
Excursions in Petra
You can get to Petra both on your own and with an organized tour. You can get to Petra from the capital of Jordan - Amman on regular bus. The closest way to Petra is from Jordanian Aqaba, Israeli Eilat or Egyptian Taba. It is worth remembering that Petra is one of the most expensive places to visit in the world. The cost of the tour can reach $200-300.
Inside Petra, you can move for an additional fee on a cart drawn by a horse or camel.
The culmination of our stay in Jordan naturally was a visit to Petra.
What can you say about this place, this city? To begin with, we will voice its modern attributes:
It is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World;
This is the symbol of Jordan;
It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List;
This is a place that has been repeatedly mentioned in the bible;
It is ultimately one of the most magnificent architectural ensembles antiquities.
Regarding the history of the city - it is quite capacious, long and consists of many interesting facts and moments. However, in this case, we will not particularly dwell on it (who cares what the Idumeans, Nabataeans, Romans, Byzantines or Arabs left behind in the city, and when it was - the Internet is at your service). We note only a few points.
Historians found the first mention of Peter in manuscripts dating back to XIII century BC
The heyday and construction of the rock city fell on the period of occupation by the Nabateans ( IV-III century. BC.)
At the end of the XIII century AD, the city was completely abandoned and forgotten (for unknown reasons).
In 1812, Petra was rediscovered for Europeans by the famous traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who managed by hook or by crook to ingratiate himself with the local Bedouins and, under the guise of an artist, got into forgotten city. Since Burckhardt had extensive practical experience as a traveler, it was not difficult for him to remember the route and subsequently bring researchers here ....
From that moment to the present, constant archaeological research, during which many historically important and valuable objects were discovered, which are located on the map below....
(The map is taken from the Russian edition of "Jordan" Geographic&Co)
We will not now describe what each number means, but as we travel through Petra we will refer to this map.
So - go!
Our trip to Petra started at 7:30 local Jordanian time. It was at this time that the taxi driver Reid Al-Masri was waiting for us at the entrance to the hotel, with whom we had agreed on the trip the day before.
In order for us to get from Aqaba (where we lived) to Petra, it was necessary to overcome over 100 km. The roads in Jordan are for the most part decent (not like ours), there are few cars, the driver is experienced (with a lot of experience), so in terms of time, moving in its pure form would take no more than an hour and a little. But even during the negotiations, Reid told us that on the way to Petra he would make several stops from which a wonderful view opens up. He kept his word. True, the first stop was unscheduled. At the pass we saw snow and asked the driver to stop. Snow for Jordan is perhaps also a kind of miracle.... Reid told us that a week ago the snow cover here was about a meter high, so many roads were completely closed to traffic.
Then everything went according to plan. The next stop is at a souvenir shop located nearby. It offers a wide range of Jordanian handicrafts, including numerous cosmetic products with components Dead Sea at very attractive prices...
After tasting local tea and coffee, warming up a little in camel skins (in Aqaba the air temperature was +20 o C, and here it is about 0), we continued our trip ....
After driving a couple more kilometers, we ended up at the observation deck. This is the highest place in the area. The wind was so strong that we were afraid to approach the edge of the site - it could blow away ....
The driver says that there are only a few kilometers left to Petra, and because of the next turn, a wonderful view of some town opened before us .... We stop (according to the plan) and begin to look around ....
Where is Petra? The driver explains that we are looking in the wrong direction. This town is called Wadi Musa, but what we need is located away from it.
He makes us turn to the side and, pointing to the rocks in front of us, repeats uncontrollably: "Petra, Petra!"
We began to peer into the distance more intensely. But alas, we didn't see anything. Now it became clear why, until 1812, for many centuries, alien travelers could not visit the ancient city .....
We go down by car and in a few minutes we are at the entrance to the famous open-air museum.
We buy tickets (to be precise, the driver did it) and .....
Let's digress a bit here. About tickets. Petra is considered one of the most expensive museums in the world. This is not accidental, because the museum is one of the few sources of Jordan's income. So the ticket prices are different here. If you come to Petra, for example, from Israel or Egypt (that is, for one day), then you will be charged 90 dinars for entry (1 local dinar is only 70 US cents). If you got here while in Jordan, they will require only 50 dinars from you. To do this, you will have to present your passport or have such a cunning driver as our Reid as a friend, who, bypassing the queue (it really was not very long), poked his head into the ticket office window and in a couple of seconds explained to the cashier that he had brought a group of tourists from Aqaba, who are there live in one of the hotels (or maybe he said something else to them - fluent Arabic is unknown to us).
A minute later we were already inside the complex, called "Petra".
Before you go further, on a small island of civilization, you can, for example, stock up on water, wash your hands, and in the "Tourist Information" section, get a map of Petra for free (it is advisable not just to take it with you, but try to understand the map a bit, so that later already consciously walking around the city), etc., etc.
Well, now that all everyday problems have been settled, having cast a farewell glance at today's time
we, having passed the control, find ourselves in the distant past ....
Having passed the control, we find ourselves in the Wadi Musa Valley (1) (Valley of Moses). The road to the past is long enough. Parallel to the pedestrian path runs a road for local transport: donkeys, horses, etc. If you carefully read the rights of a tourist, which he receives when buying an entrance ticket, then its cost includes the delivery of your person on this transport to the center of Petra. Many do not know about this (the information is given in very small print on the inside of the ticket) and despite the beckoning cries of the drivers: "All inclusive!", which are quite obtrusively offering this service, they prefer walking. Others, who know about this service, refuse to use it due to the fact that, as follows from the numerous reviews of tourists, all this local brethren will still try to charge you money for delivery. For this they will give you a lot of reasons. Starting from the fact that they only deliver for free to a specific place that you have already accidentally passed, and ending with a noisy showdown in their own language, as a result of which you still fork out ...
In general, we went on foot, but not based on the above factors. Firstly, the weather was amazing - the air temperature is somewhere around 15 degrees Celsius above zero (in summer it can be over 40 - that's when you think about transport), the sun is shining, a little cloudy, a breeze is blowing ... In Secondly, we were interested to see everything slowly ....
Already literally behind the first turn in numerous low rocks, man-made structures are visible ...
Ahead on the course on the right side rise the Djinn blocks (5).
Here they are in front of us .... There are several opinions about them. Someone says that these are stone gods, someone else says something else.... We will adhere to the official version, which can be found on the information board. It follows that these are peculiar tower tombs....
Behind a small turn, but already on the opposite side, another structure is visible in the rock....
This is none other than the Obelisk Tomb (6). There were five graves in the upper tier, and the basement was a mourning (ritual) hall .... There is another interesting, but not official version: some believe that four sons of one of the rulers of Petra were buried in this tomb (according to the number of pillars above the entrance)....
Some have already managed to inspect everything and are returning "to the base" with the breeze ....
And we continue our acquaintance with Petra ....
Opposite the Obelisk tomb there is another burial room.... Its purpose can be judged by a peculiar ornament located above the entrance - two steps converging to the bottom....
And this is the confirmation of our words. Connoisseurs of English can get acquainted in detail with the opinion of the museum management regarding the purpose of certain structures....
While we are moving along the Valley of Moses, in literally all the numerous rocks that surround us, you can find traces of an ancient civilization...
"Prospect" ends with another stronghold of law and order
and one more information for tourists....
We are on one of the oldest dams, which was erected by the Nabataeans during the construction of Petra. Subsequently, in 1964, the dam was restored. Its purpose is very practical and very important for Petra. As we will find out later, the entire ancient city is located at the bottom of a deep gorge. Accordingly, during the rainy season (and they are decent here + water from all the surrounding mountains flows into the gorge), Petra could simply be washed away. Clever urban planners of the past solved this problem quite simply and brilliantly: they built a dam in front of the entrance to their gorge, and on the side (to drain water) they cut down a tunnel called Nabataean or Dark (8). On it, all the "extra" water went to another gorge ....
Behind the dam, two warriors of Petra guard the entrance to the Siq Gorge (9)..... This the main road leading to Petra is the bottom of a split rock with a length of about 1200 meters. The height of the sheer walls reaches 80 meters, and the width of the "tract" is from 3 to 12 meters (so be careful in narrow places, otherwise you will find yourself an easy prey for a dashing chaise).
Once the entrance to the gorge was decorated with arched gates, but it was not possible to save them - they were destroyed in 1895. However, if you look closely, you can see the remnants of the former luxury...
And on the next "cheat sheet" you can get to know them better ....
And here we are "plunging" into the pleasant coolness (although it's not very hot outside anyway) of the Siq gorge...
If you look closely, then on the left side along the entire gorge stretches a trench carved into the rocks. This next invention of the Nabataeans is a water supply system. They managed to collect fresh water from the mountains within a radius of up to 25 kilometers for their needs. Moreover, they thought through everything to the smallest detail: the constant slope of the drain, which allows you to adjust the flow rate, and the numerous tanks (there are over 200 of them), and ceramic pipes, and laying water pipes at a height, and much more, which at that time was beyond the power most other nations...
It is no coincidence that it was on the edge of the drain that this lonely tree found "refuge" ....
Before us is perhaps one of the narrowest places in the gorge ....
And now there is no light overhead...
And here is what we warned you about above. True, we were lucky - we collided with a "cabriolet" in a fairly wide part of the gorge. And if this happened a few minutes earlier - we would have to take the form of a wall ...
According to our estimates, we have already overcome half of the way to the Siq gorge ....
And here we will linger a little. If you pay attention - a huge cracked piece of rock hangs over the gorge to the right....
Many scientists believe that this real danger which may appear at any moment. The Jordanians are doing their best to avoid the collapse. A lot of sensors are installed on the rock, which record all changes in the crack. In addition, the authorities of the country turned to other states for help, and according to some information, the Germans seem to have some kind of project to protect the rock ... (So hurry up to visit Petra, otherwise the entrance to it will suddenly be blocked)
We were lucky again - the rock did not fall off and we continued our movement forward ....
In this part of the gorge, hand-made works of ancient masters begin to appear....
But this has already taken the soul of nature .... If you look at this creation of hers from this side, it resembles some kind of terrible fish ....
And from here - a couple of elephants ....
It turns out that everything that we saw above was the creation of the hands of a man named Sabinos, who was engaged in certain religious ceremonies .... True time, or rather strong winds and the rains that have affected for 18 centuries have not spared his masterpieces...
The Siq expanded again. By the way, very often on the ground you can find the remains of that ancient paving stone....
Increasingly, traces of civilization began to be encountered along the way ...
Suddenly, the passage narrowed completely, it became dark, and in the distance, in the gap between the rocks, the outlines of some structure appeared ....
In a few seconds, the most famous building of Petra El-Khazne (10) opens up to our eyes....
Al-Khazneh is the visiting card of Petra, and of the whole of Jordan...
Once upon a time, Europeans who first visited these places, she appeared in the following form .....
(Photo taken from the Russian edition of "Jordan" Geographic&Co)
During this time, a lot has changed in Al-Khazne: something for the better - the collapsed column was restored, something for the worse - time has done its job and many sculptures have worn out ....
What is this building? The height of the facade is 39 meters (this is the height of our 12-storey building), the width is 25 meters. This structure was carved into the rock. Until recently, scientists did not have exact information about how the Nabataeans managed to do all this. Many believed that the classical method of construction was used, i.e. scaffolding was erected and builders were located on their scaffolds, who hollowed out building elements in the rock. However, this version quickly lost its relevance: there are mountains and desert around for many kilometers. Each tree counts. After many years of research, it was found that all the work was carried out in a completely new style for architecture - not from the bottom up, but vice versa: from the top down. Ancient builders climbed to the top of the cliff and from there they began to build their masterpiece. Making ledges in the rock and gradually going down, at the first stage, they created something like a perfectly even canvas. At the second stage of construction, again working from top to bottom and using a system of phased cutting of cornices (instead of scaffolding), elements of the main structure were created. If it were possible to use modern means of video recording at that time, then we would have the following video fragment: you are a spectator and, as it were, you are in the auditorium. There is a curtain in front of you, which begins to fall from top to bottom, and at this time, Al-Khazneh begins to appear in front of you ....
First its upper fragment,
and then the lower part...
As they say, everything ingenious is simple. Although with this method of building it, so to speak, the chief architect must have tremendous knowledge ...
Most of the buildings in Petra were built in this way. By the way, this production was virtually waste-free. The cutting of the building was carried out in blocks (something like bricks, only of large sizes), which then went down and were successfully used in the construction of other structures...
For a long time it was not possible to determine the purpose of this building. At first they thought it was a treasury. After all, Petra was at one time a fairly rich city. It was located at the crossroads of two major trade routes: the first - connected the Red Sea with Damascus, the second - the Persian Gulf with Gaza. It was in Petra that numerous caravans stopped to rest after long and tiring journeys. At that time, Petra was a real oasis in the desert: there was a lot of greenery, fountains, places to relax, etc. The Nabataeans were good traders and, accordingly, the city treasury was constantly replenished. So, according to one of the versions, it was decided to build a building of amazing beauty at the entrance to the city, in which the latest innovations in advanced world architecture would be used (hence we observe elements of the Greco-Roman style in Al Khazne), and which would make newly arrived guests of the city immediately understand where they are. Accordingly, they planned to store all their wealth in this building. By the way, Al-Khazneh is translated from Arabic as a treasury, treasury ...
Another version of the appointment of Al-Khazne is a temple, a tomb. The thing is that if you go inside the building, then there are no architectural excesses except for bare walls. In addition, an analysis of the sculptures on the facade of the building showed that they are all connected in one way or another with the afterlife. But the main sign of the tomb - no burials were found.
Literally not so long ago, it seemed strange to one scientist who was conducting a study of Petra that the slope under which we leave the Siq gorge to Al-Khazne in front of the building abruptly changes its level (i.e. levels out). Then there was an assumption that the base of the building was simply covered with sand over time. The scientist's assumption was justified: during the excavations at the visual base of the building, at a depth of 6 meters, the lower floor was discovered, in which burials of 11 people were found. Based on their remains, it was possible to accurately determine the time of burial and finally determine the exact purpose of this grandiose structure - the tomb of the Nabatean king Aref IV....
If you get closer to the building, then you can see some of the results of these excavations ....
And here another caravan left the gorge
and settled down to rest....
Yes, donkeys have no place among the ships of the desert ....
The square in front of Al-Khazneh is a favorite place for tourists. But today there are not many people and we manage to calmly examine and photograph everything without crowding and turmoil ....
Even on the wall near the building we managed to see such a balcony....
However, one should not forget that Al-Khazneh is only the beginning of the glorious city of Petra. Therefore, if you want to have time to see its other sights, then it's time for you to move on .... That's what we do.
Passing through a small gorge
and before us is a new creation of the Nabateans - the street (wall) of Facades ....
These are numerous burials, the entrance to which is a true monument of architecture....
In fact, among many scientists there is a version that Petra is the city of the dead. Too many objects of the city are connected with this event. True, their opponents also have quite strong arguments in their favor: why do the dead need such a powerful and developed water supply system, why do they need a theater, etc., etc. Agree this is a pretty solid argument. Again, if you take a closer look at the culture of the Nabataeans, they were very sensitive to the afterlife and believed that the deceased should not need anything. From here, perhaps, the large tombs (which are much better than their dwellings), and many of the ritual complexes that we see today in Petra. Otherwise, history is relative. Perhaps soon, some lucky from this brotherhood will be able to find such an artifact that will turn all official ideas about this, and it may happen that Petra is really the city of the dead ....
In the Wall of Facades, you can also find open openings, although today access to tourists is closed there - specialists are still working there ...
Directly in front of us is the Nabataean theater. It is also carved into the rock, although some of its parts are made from those blocks that remained from Al-Khazneh. The theater has 45 rows. The average length of one row is about 95 meters. It was designed for 7-10 thousand spectators....
On the left side of the square, we again see a lot of tombs and some other rooms. Yes, another household moment. The fact is that before the trip, having studied many sites, we realized that in Petra there is a certain problem with WC - everyone unanimously stated: "Be careful! There is only one toilet, which is located at the entrance! ". So, ladies and gentlemen, let me disagree with this. There are many of them in Petra more: there are both at the entrance, and at the entrance to the gorge (combustion closets), and on this square (hospital), and further along your path in several places. So don't worry too much about this. The only place where these amenities of civilization are missing is if you go to the mountains...
Speaking of mountains... While we were looking around on this square, a couple of tourists (foreigners) with a local guide stopped near us. After he told them something about this square, the guide offered the couple to climb to enjoy the amazing views of Petra .... Since we became unwitting witnesses of this fluent communication in English, we had no choice but to follow them example
Let's start climbing...
We climbed literally a few tens of meters, and Petra looks different already ....
Well, let's continue our experiment....
I still have strength, my breath doesn't seem to get lost, so it's getting higher and higher....,
and camels are getting smaller and smaller...
And this is how the tombs of the Assyrian type opposite the theater look from a height (at a fairly large approximation) ...
It seems that we have already climbed high, but our mountain does not end there .... Well, at least the weather is favorable (at +40, such a climb would not be a joy) ...
After the next turn - another long climb ... As for the road itself, it is quite decent: 50 percent are fairly well-preserved steps, 25 percent of its length is a fairly compacted surface, and the remaining 25% - as usual in the mountains .. Of course, in rainy weather, climbing in some areas would be very problematic ...
Once again looking back .... Maybe it's time to go back? But the guide somewhere and for some reason led our foreign colleagues up ...
But these steps delight the soul, and the body too ....
In some places, the walls of rocks along which we move look very good...
And here is the first living creature on our mountain path.... Meet - in front of you is a Jordanian pigeon with an alpine residence in the city of Petra...
We look at our starting point through the camera lens with a good approximation .... Now, until we know the purpose of our ascent, it’s definitely stupid to go down ...
So imperceptibly, quite often being distracted by photography, we caught up with the initiators of our ascent. Local Bedouins make their lives much easier by making this way on donkeys... thrill, but if these sections are overcome on horseback ... In short, comments are unnecessary.
Even at such a height there are points for the processing of tourists, i.e. sale of local handicrafts....
Prices here are much lower than below. We offer you various amulets with stones, items supposedly made of pure silver, etc...
On a small flat area there is an alpine cafe. Here they offer Bedouin tea, local coffee with coriander, and some other non-alcoholic drinks. We don't have them yet...
Poor donkey, how he breathes heavily, and it looks like he's sweating .... Or maybe I'm already breathing like a steam locomotive? Although foreigners are already somewhere far behind ...
I'll tell you a little secret. In view of the fact that only one path goes further, we decided to go around them (we won’t get lost anyway) ...
We somehow got carried away with the process of conquering the summit and forgot that there could be faster walkers on this path besides us .... We had to give way ...
We go around the next turn and .... but there is no more road above! We are at the top!!!
Why are we here to put it mildly dragged?
Maybe in order to enjoy the music of this Bedouin at such a height?
Or drink some water from this alpine well?
While we cannot find the answer to our question, but with all this, we no longer regret that we climbed here and spent a lot of time on it.
First, it opens great view the mountains surrounding Petra....
Secondly, where else will you meet cats at such a height and in such a deserted place?
By the way, they feel quite well here and behave very well. active image life....
Thirdly, only here you can meet real modern residents of Petra, who absolutely do not care about the level of local sales (they will study stock news better) .....
who, in the absence of an influx of tourists, will develop their abilities as a guide by expounding all the charms of Petra to their favorite donkey ...
And at the same time, the latter, we must give him his due, will be a worthy listener ...
Only on this peak, hoisting the flag of Jordan (while risking their lives), local residents discuss the global geopolitical situation...
Only from this peak can one see a modern city in which life is seething from one side,
and on the other hand, observe the dwelling of the Petruan Bedouin ...
Only on this peak, our esteemed donkeys bow before religious buildings and in silence, probably, think about something vital....
Agree, it’s painfully on some specific mountain we are with you ....
As it turned out a little later (when we had already descended and analyzed our route), we ended up on Mount Attuf (mountain of sacrifice)
Having carefully looked around, we also found facts confirming that we are in this very place ...
First of all, these are two obelisks - symbols of the deities Dusshara and Al-Utsa....
and, of course, these ruins of ritual temples....
But as it turned out, even this was not the goal of our ascent....
Everyone says that donkeys are stupid animals. I think it's not. Does a stupid animal just walk to the edge of the abyss?
They clearly knew that being in this somewhat dangerous place, you can see most of Petra at a glance ....
Well, if you get to the other side of the top,
then you will see a view of that part of Petra, to which, as they say, 99% of the tourists who visited it have not set foot ....
In order to make it clear in the future exactly which places we are visiting from the Mount of Sacrifice, we will make a reference to the area ....
In front of you, in the upper right corner, is a fairly well-known building - the Qasr Al-Bint Palace (we still have time to examine it from below).
and then to the left...
If you take a closer look at the above photographs, you can see a lot of different tombs and structures. To our great regret, we did not find any information about this part of Petra. Being at the top for about half an hour, we could not see the tourists who would have gotten there ... We note right away that most of the photos on this page were taken with a telephoto lens, so the real distance to the objects is quite decent....
Here is our Kasr again,
Before reaching the palace - a little to the left and up the slope you can see the columns of the pharaoh...
To the left of the columns is an incomprehensible building. Most likely it is already modern building, because glass is visible in the openings ....
And now we will “walk” near those distant mountains (from right to left) that were discussed above ... (We will not comment on anything here. You just see for yourself how long Petra is and how little we really know about it)
So, you yourself were able to see for yourself that tourists unfortunately do not visit the largest part of Petra, where hundreds of various ancient structures of antiquity ....
Although there is nothing strange in this. On the one hand, on the maps that give out at the entrance, these objects are not marked at all, on the other hand, it takes a lot of time and effort to get here, and then also to return ....
And now let's go back to the other side of our mountain, which offers a view of famous stories places...
From this square (Street of Facades) we once began our ascent ....
Yes, there are fewer people...
What else did we manage to see from above?
Here in front of us, or rather below us, is the tomb of Uneishu (19). It has been fairly well preserved. Unlike other tombs, this one has its own courtyard... When excavations were carried out here, they found a coin of the Nabatean king Malk II and a number of fragments of plates with inscriptions, from which it followed that there was a burial place of a royal person ...
Well, what else can you see from here? The supply of time is limited, therefore, having breathed in the fresh mountain air, we begin to think about the descent ...
The descent was quite fast (in relation to the ascent) and without long stops, so after .... minutes we were already at the bottom .....
Here is our amphitheater... By the way, it, like many other buildings of Petra, suffered quite a bit from the earthquake in its time...
We continue our journey through Petra towards the Royal Tombs.... The people have increased...
If you still have the strength, you can slightly deviate from the route and drop by the light to the Nabateans...
And here's another place for a sanitary stop ....
A little away from the main caravan route there is the Urn Tomb already known to us.
It is said that it got its name due to the fact that a small urn is located on its top. Here it is (top) in front of you. Where is the urn?
True, the tomb also has another (local) name: the Bedouins, due to the grandeur of the architecture of the building, called it the Court ....
Squeezing through another caravan
Let's start another climb...
On the site at the base of the Urn, there is a rather brisk trade in souvenirs...
A little more and we will be at the goal ....
All have arrived...
You can go inside the tomb. Archaeological excavations are still underway here, so some part is closed to the public...
Immediately striking is the peculiar color scheme of the ceiling ....
When you leave, you will again be haunted by the tourist service ....
Some sellers can be seen have been sitting on this tourist route for a very long time ....
The Tomb of the Urn is followed by a whole series of rich tombs that are part of the Royal: the Palace-Tombstone and to the right of it - the Corinthian Tomb. All of them are built in 1st century AD
We took a breath, looked around and found that we still have a long road ahead, and not back, but forward and forward ....
After all, there are a lot of people at that rock that is on the horizon. So there is something to see...
We go down to the main square of Petra ....
Finally, you can take a breath: relax a little, after sitting on a bench for a couple of minutes ....
It turns out that not only we are tired, but also the Bedouins, who are comfortably located near a lonely tree,
moored for rest and "ships of the desert" .....
Yes, to rest is not to work .... Something too early, we relaxed. Gotta get up and move on...
We are immediately offered to use local transport ... But we decide not to change our principles ...
To our right, the Royal Tombs lined up in all their glory...
Our route passes along Colonnadnaya Street (24).... At one time it was the main street of Petra, along which there were numerous shops, markets, temples....
TO " shopping center"another and another caravan descends from the mountains ....
At the end of Colonnade Street, on the left side in the direction of our movement, there is the Great Temple of Petra .... (for some reason, this "small and inconspicuous" structure was not marked on our map. Perhaps due to the fact that archaeological work in this place are conducted and to this day historians have not fully decided on the purpose of this object ...). The temple is really big literally of this word - it occupies an area of over 7.5 thousand sq.m. and is the most big building cities...
We make the next stop near Qasr Al-Bint (27) - Temple of the Pharaoh's Daughter. If you look around, this is the only more or less preserved building. It turns out the whole thing in its design. Unlike its counterparts, this building is made using a unique technology: its brick blocks are interconnected with juniper twigs. It was thanks to this design that he managed to withstand a strong earthquake ...
Ahead appeared, let's say, the original rock....
Ask: "What does it mean?" See for yourself: All openings are closed with modern elements of architectural design (doors, glass), there is quite civilized ventilation, etc. New residents of Petra? Everything turned out to be somewhat more prosaic - this is the new Archaeological Museum of Petra ...
Near the museum, you can have a bite to eat in an open-air cafe, and if you wish, well, if you haven’t seen everything yet, spend the night right there at the hotel.
Another feature of this place is a fairly large number of green spaces....
The Archaeological Museum is not end point Petra. Roads lead from its walls both to the left and to the right. If you move to the left, then after a few kilometers (I don’t know exactly how many of them) you will come to that part of the city that we examined from the Mount of Sacrifice. If you go to the right, then overcoming the level difference of 350 meters (and this is a winding path, and a steep staircase ...) you can get to the monastery of Ad-Deir. We did not have enough strength for such an ascent. Yes, and time too. After all, do not forget that there is still a road to go in the opposite direction, and this is still a few kilometers of the way ....
We go back...
Before us again "float" the Royal Tombs,
central square Petra (although now it is completely deserted)
and the Siq Gorge.
And here we are at the finish line...
Well, now that everything is behind me, I will tell you a little secret.
We have been to Petra several times: the first time was in excellent sunny weather. Then we spent in this beautiful city about 5 hours, but unfortunately we did not have time to see many interesting moments. The second - three days later (then the weather deteriorated somewhat, swimming in the Red Sea was not very comfortable and part of our small group decided to slip into Petra to see the sights). On this day in Aqaba (where we lived) it was about 15 degrees. above 0 (sea water temperature - 21 degrees) and quite cloudy ...
And here is what my "colleagues" faced on the way to Petra...
On the one hand, the local driver was insanely happy - after all, snow is a big holiday for them (although there has been a noticeable increase in such holidays in Jordan recently), and on the other hand, he repeatedly tried to turn around (because he had no skills to drive on a snowy track, and even in mountainous conditions and on summer tires, he, like 99.99% of other local drivers, does not).
In fact, this trip was close to completion (fog was all over the mountain section),
but already in the city of Wadi Musa, in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the Petra Museum, it was removed as if by hand ....
Then our travelers decided to see Petra after all ... (you yourself can find some differences in the photographs of those that were taken on a sunny day from a cloudy one). By the way, in their opinion, and according to the footage, on a cloudy day, many objects in Petra look much better than in clear weather...
If you want to get acquainted with all of Petra, then you will either need a whole day (hours from 6 am to 4 pm - the museum is open at this time in winter) and at the same time you will be on the move all the time and by the end of the day completely unsettled (and this pace is not feasible for every tourist), or split the visit into several days. At the same time, Petra's employees themselves recommend visiting it in three days (the museum's official website even lists the recommended daily program). In this case, the price of the entrance ticket changes significantly: if a one-time visit costs 50 dinars (for those who stay in Jordan for more than a day), then for three days the ticket price will be only 60 dinars. So everything is in your hands.
In conclusion, I would like to say only one thing - Petra is not in vain considered one of the seven wonders of the world!
Couldn't they travel [study the history of past centuries and millennia, and then visit the preserved monuments, the capitals of states and civilizations that once prospered and crush any enemy], while having understanding hearts and hearing ears?!
It is not people's eyes that go blind, but the hearts that are in their chests [they do not heed the lessons of the past in the present, do not try to understand them. Their whole life is a run from nowhere to nowhere along the narrow path of stereotypes and personal interpretations, subjective conclusions].*
Holy Quran 22:46
Impressed?
Then let's open the cards a little.
So, Petra (Arabic البتراء) - ancient city, capital Idumea (Edoma), later the capital of the Nabataean kingdom. It is located on the territory of modern Jordan, at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level and 660 m above the surrounding area, the Arava Valley, in the narrow Siq Canyon.
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan or Jordan — Arab state in the Middle East. It borders with Syria in the north, Iraq in the northeast, Saudi Arabia- in the east and south, with Israel and Palestine - in the west. Jordan shares with Israel and Palestine the coastlines of the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba with Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
About 90% of the territory of the kingdom is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts.
The most famous landmark in Jordan is , the city we are interested in Petra , located 262 kilometers south of Amman, and 133 kilometers north of Aqaba in the Wadi Musa valley.
The ancient city is the property of the Bedouins, who are engaged in the manufacture and sale of souvenirs on the territory of the museum, as well as offering a ride on horses or camels. In place of the current Petra was the first fortified settlement to be named " village" — "stone, rock". Later this name was translated into Greek - Petra ("stone").
Petra - the capital of the Nabatean kingdom and one of the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient cities. Petra is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the new wonders of the world. In ancient times, Petra was on the trade route connecting the Middle East, Arabia and India.
Historians believe that the city was built by the Nabataeans - Arab tribes of nomads who settled on these lands in the 3rd millennium BC. Appearance Petra owes much to Greco-Roman culture, which the Nabataeans adapted to suit their needs. Starting with a few easily defended caves in the rocks, Petra gradually turned into an impregnable walled city. The lands of the former Nabatean kingdom and Petra were completely forgotten in the West.
The Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt was the first European to see and describe Petra in 1812.
The very location of Petra is amazing, namely the mountains, which, depending on the time of day, change their color from dark red to pink and even orange.
It is not so easy to get to the ancient city, you will have to overcome several kilometers on foot: first go down, and back up through Siq Gorge. From the east and west, the cliffs break off vertically, forming natural walls up to 80 m in height.
Here is a description of this path, made in the 70s: “The path to the city lies through this passage. Its length is about 1.2 km, and its width is from 4 to 10 meters or more. The spectacle is truly unforgettable: reddish and brownish cliffs up to 80 m high hang from both sides; a strip of sky turns blue above, coarse gravel and sand rustle underfoot, it smells of dampness and mold. The Romans failed to take Petra for several years; its inhabitants, blocking the only narrow passage leading to the walled city, could hold back an entire army with small forces ...
Walking down the aisle- both to the right and to the left above the head are such cut, gnawed red stones. During the rainy season, this gorge turns into a swift turbulent stream. The road is adorned with the remains of an ancient pavement and rock carvings, and along the edges, like a railing, a water trough winds, delivering water to Petra.
The beginning of the gorge, through which you can get to Petra itself
Already approaching the exit from the gorge, we freeze in amazement: through the hole in the dark corridor, about fifty meters from its end, a pink building with columns and an elegant pediment illuminated by the sun is clearly visible. A few more minutes of patience and before us is one of the monumental tombs of Petra ... What is most striking is that it is a solid stone massif without any additions.
Opens around the corner El Khazneh — majestic building with a facade carved from a huge rock. This is one of the best preserved buildings of the first century. The building is crowned with a huge urn made of stone, in which gold and precious stones were allegedly kept, hence the name of the temple (translated from Arabic as “treasury”).
The interior of one of the "rooms" of El Khazneh.
Here it is very clearly seen that all this was carved in a solid stone massif.
Having rounded the rock and the palace of Al-Khazne, you will find yourself surrounded by hundreds of buildings carved into the rocks, temples, tombs, small and large residential buildings, tombs and festive halls, long stairs, arches and cobbled streets. A little lower, a huge Roman amphitheater carved out of stone, which once accommodated more than 4 thousand spectators.
High up in the mountains above the city sacred place worship of the gods, from where a stunning panorama of Petra opens - an amphitheater, a Byzantine church and the tombs of kings, Roman colonnades, the mausoleum of Aaron, and the main temple of the Nabataeans - Kazr al-Bint.
Here is a list of the most interesting of them: El-Khazneh ("Treasury", the tomb of one of the Nabatean kings), Ad-Deir ("Monastery"), Sakhrij ("Ginn blocks"), "Obelisk tomb", "Square of facades", sacred mountain Jebel al-Madbah ("Mountain of Sacrifice"), "Tombs of the Kings", Mugar An-Nasara ("Christian Caves"), Theatre, Byzantine church behind the ruins of the Nymphaeum, Al-Uzza Atargatis ("Temple of the Winged Lions"), Qasr Al- Bint ("The Palace of the Pharaoh's Daughter", although the pharaohs, of course, have nothing to do with this building), and others.
There are two archaeological museums in the city: the old one (in the mountain of Jabal Al-Khabis) and the new one, which have excellent collections, as well as many monuments identified with biblical chronicles - the Wadi Musa valley itself ("Valley of Moses"), Mount Jabal Haroun (Mount Aaron , on which, according to legend, the high priest Aaron died), the source of Ain Musa ("Source of Moses"), etc.
Petra was called the "robber's nest", "bloody stones", "cursed place", "city of evil spirits", "ghost city", "city of bloody altars", "city of the dead".
The territory of Petra is large area. From the center, where the ruins of numerous buildings, no longer rocky, but built in the traditional way, from stone, are well preserved, it stretches for several kilometers.
The main street, stretching from east to west across the city, was laid during the Roman rule. On both sides of it stretches a majestic colonnade. The western end of the street ended in big temple, and the eastern one ended with a three-span triumphal arch.
Ad-Deir is a monastery carved into the rock at the top of a cliff - a huge building about 50 m wide and more than 45 m high. Judging by the crosses carved on the walls, the temple served as a Christian church for some time.
Later, after the researchers dug out the space under the monastery, they discovered the tomb of one of the Nabatean kings.
Here is a very informative video - the program of the National Geographic channel:
The remains of this cities of the dead are a lesson to us who live after them. In the sacredIn the Koran, the Almighty in several verses tells us about the destroyed peoples and villages:
How many settlements We destroyed together with their sinful, godless inhabitants: [old] houses collapsed and became empty, wells [water supply systems] became useless and fell into disrepair, and [strong] built [with the latest science and technology] palaces [ if they remained standing, they were empty and deserted].*
Holy Quran, 22:45
Each of the human communities has its own term [nothing lasts forever in this world, everything (people, peoples, cities, states, eras, civilizations) has an earthly beginning and end]. If it comes, then nothing can be changed (it is impossible to delay or accelerate it). *
Holy Quran, 7:34
Didn't you see what your Lord did to the Adites?! [With their tribe] Iram, who had [majestic] buildings based on columns. Until that moment, there were no others like them [powerful and strong, smart].
Holy Quran 89:6-8
Do they not see [do not know] how many civilizations were destroyed by Us earlier! Indeed, they will not return to them [to those who currently exist]!*
Holy Quran 36:31
In conclusion, I will quote the words of a Muslim scholar-sage who was asked:
“Why do we hear edifications, instructions, but we cannot benefit from them, they are not reflected in our lives?
The sage replied: “For five reasons:
First: Allah has endowed you with many bounties, bestowed on you an uncountable number of blessings, but you have lost the feeling of gratitude before Him
Second: having committed a sin, you stopped feeling fear of God's wrath, you stopped asking for mercy with deeds and words
Third: you don't follow what you know.
Fourth: there are righteous, well-behaved people in your environment, but you don’t even think of being equal to them.
And the last: you bury the dead, see off many of your relatives and friends to another world, but you cannot learn from this instructive lesson "
As-Samarkandi N. Tanbih al-gafilin.S.292
O Allah, fill our hearts with timidity before Your majesty and might. Awaken in us this feeling, which will manifest itself in our tears, which will be filled in the future life with heavenly sources in the highest degrees of Firdavs! Amine.
Radia Zavdetovna,
Mahalla №1
*With comments by Sh. Alyautdinov
When writing the article, materials were used:
Wikipedia
Sh. Alyautdinov “The Holy Quran. Meanings»
I. Alyautdinov “Know. Believe. Honor"
A trip from Amman, Israel and Egypt to Petra will be much more tiring and expensive. Stops at the border are inevitable, moreover, moving from Egypt requires crossing the Israeli border, and Israeli border guards are famous for their corrosiveness and slowness. In addition, a border tax has recently been collected from those passing through the Israeli border.
In summer, the temperature reaches 50 degrees along the way, which is not very conducive to curiosity. The ideal time for a thoughtful visit to Petra is late autumn, winter, spring. At this time it is not hot, you should even stock up on a jumper.
The place is so interesting that it is worth devoting more than one day to it, although, of course, you can keep within day trip. The fact is that in order to even just get from the entrance to the city to the main interesting places, you need to walk several kilometers along the narrow (in some places about a meter) Siq canyon. Very lazy and rich tourists hire donkeys or a stroller. Pauses are inevitable for taking pictures and scratching the back of the head in astonishment.
You can stop for rest in the town of Wadi Musa near the rock city, or in several hotels directly on the territory of Petra.
City `s history
Petra, despite its unusual appearance, is historically the city - the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, which lasted seven centuries. The city had houses carved into the rock, temples, tombs. During these centuries, no one managed to take the city by storm. It's all about the right location and a fantastic communications system.
The city of Petra, in Nabataean “Nakmu”, is located at an altitude of more than six hundred meters above the surrounding area. Climbing the steep cliffs surrounding the city is very difficult. To this day, water remains the main resource of the Middle Eastern countries. The nameless builders of the city provided a system for collecting and concentrating all possible precipitation. In the Petra region, the average monthly rainfall in the wettest month, January, is 45 mm; in June, there is no precipitation at all. All the water that flowed in the spring months from the surrounding mountains, through channels carved into the rocks, flowed into pools and reservoirs, providing residents for the whole year.
The city stood at the crossroads of two trade routes - the Mediterranean - the Persian Gulf and Damascus - the Red Sea. The spice trade brought fantastic income to the Nabataeans. Only the discovery by the Romans of new trade routes to the east led to the decline of Petra.
Walk around Petra
All visitors get off the buses in front of the entrance to the canyon. Souvenirs are sold here (inhabitants of Bedouin settlements in several factories in the district process ornamental stone under the state program), there are several coffee houses, you can hire a carriage for a trip through the canyon.
Having passed the canyon with vertical (thirty meters high) walls, you exit to the main square of El Ghazne. Usually the guides deliberately “talk their teeth” in order to guess the spectacular moment of the exit to the facade of the Treasury. The canyon makes a turn before entering the square, so all beginners look in the wrong direction. The effect is enormous.
Made famous by the Indiana Jones TV series, the building is said to have housed the treasures of the pharaohs and, later, Mediterranean pirates. No one is allowed inside. The dimensions of the Treasury are amazing - 40 meters in height and 24 in width.
At every step, Bedouin kids offer to buy souvenirs, even simple stones. Depending on the time of day, the surrounding rocks change color - from pale pink at dawn to orange at sunset. The territory of the city is gigantic, so you can walk here for several days. Some come with their tents and mountain gear to spend a few days in the surrounding mountains. Only the cost of staying on the territory of Petra changes.
The places here are harsh, so when planning a trip for several days, you need to provide yourself with a supply of water, food (we strongly do not recommend taking alcohol), strong shoes, warm clothes for the night, learn a few Arabic greetings - no one guarantees that you will be understood in Russian (although in the same Aqaba, all young people speak Russian fluently).
If you ask any local guide - how could people build such grand buildings without cranes, without forty-meter scaffolding (after all, there is nowhere to get so much wood here), they will answer you - they were lowered from above on ropes. Maybe. But a believer will immediately remember the words from the sixth chapter of the biblical Book of Genesis: "At that time there were giants on earth." Maybe they really lived here?
Jordan. Petra - ancient capital Nabataean kingdom, carved right into the rocks more than 2 thousand years ago. Thanks to its rich history, bewitching, almost mystical beauty and excellent preservation of monuments at the end of the last century, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in 2007 was elected one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Once prosperous and luxurious, after the conquest of the Middle East by Saladin in the 12th century, Petra was abandoned, and the memory of her in the West was erased. The dilapidated city remained a hidden gem until 1812, when the Swiss explorer Broekhardt found himself here. His stories inspired many other travelers, but serious excavations in Petra did not begin until 1929. Steven Spielberg played an important role in popularizing the city as a world tourism destination with his "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade": the film showed Petra on wide screens in 1989 G.
How to get to Petra
Petra is 3 hours drive from Amman if you drive along the modern "Desert Highway", or 5 hours if you follow the picturesque "Royal Road".
By bus
Jett organizes daily flights Amman - Petra from Abdali bus station. Departure - at 6:30, travel time - about 3.5 hours, ticket price - 18 JOD one way. return bus departs from Petra at 17:00. Prices on the page are for November 2018.
If you are vacationing in one of Jordan's neighboring countries, you also have a chance to visit Petra. Numerous travel companies organize day trips from Eilat, Taba, Sharm el-Sheikh and other resorts of the Sinai Peninsula.
By minibus
A minibus ride from Wadi Rum takes about 1.5 hours and costs 8 JOD. The minibus usually leaves at 8:30, but the schedule is subject to change on any day. Therefore, you need to agree in advance: ask the hotel employee to contact the minibus driver and clarify the time and place of departure.
Shuttle buses from Amman depart from the Wihdat bus station. On the road - about 3 hours, ticket price - 5 JOD. In some cases, the driver may ask you to pay separately for luggage.
By taxi
Taxis are more expensive, but much more comfortable. The trip from Amman to Petra and back will cost approximately 75-85 JOD including waiting for the driver. Travel from Aqaba - 55 JOD one way.
On the way from Petra to Aqaba, you can visit the Wadi Rum desert to enjoy unique landscapes like nowhere else on the planet. And the village of Dana on the top of the mountain resembles a bird's nest.
You should always agree on the cost of the trip in advance, if you wish, you can save a lot: bargain with the driver or find fellow travelers and share all the expenses with them.
Transport
The only vehicles allowed in Petra are horses, donkeys, camels and horse-drawn carts. The choice of means of transportation depends on which section of the path you are overcoming. From the entrance to the city, the Siq Gorge can be reached either on foot (in just 15 minutes), or on a horse or a light horse-drawn carriage. The cost of travel depends only on your ability to bargain. Local grooms often claim that the trip is free, but at the end of the journey you will most likely be in for an unpleasant surprise: you will have to pay generous tips to the drovers (up to 20 JOD per person). Do not believe promises and clearly stipulate the price in advance.
Previously, horses were treated so badly here that a veterinary clinic had to be opened near the entrance. Today, wounds are still visible on the bodies of many animals, and horses harnessed to wagons are forced to gallop even in unbearable heat. Therefore, caring tourists often prefer to spare the animals and overcome the first section of the path on foot.
Once at the Treasury, get ready for a decisive onslaught of numerous owners of camels and donkeys, vying with each other offering their services to tourists. Feel free to bargain and in no case pay more than 10 JOD per trip. The optimal price is 3 JOD per person.
Sometimes drovers cut the price by almost half, just by hearing at least a couple of phrases in Arabic.
Camels are perhaps the only animals in Petra that are respected by their owners, which means that they are kept in relatively good condition. The reason for this is their high cost and obstinate character. Camels are less docile than donkeys or horses, but riding them is one of the most memorable local pastimes.
To move around mountain slopes it is better to choose donkeys: it is on them that it is most convenient to get to the High Place or the monastery of Ad-Dair. However, conservationists are unlikely to be satisfied with the trip: all the way, Bedouin teenagers drive the unfortunate animals with cruel blows with a long piece of electric wire. If patience is running out, shout "Bass!" (“Enough”): The hitting is likely to stop.
If you are in good physical shape, take a walk to the monastery. After 15:00, the path leading up is almost completely hidden in the shade, so the ascent at this time is as comfortable as possible.
Weather in Petra
Average monthly temperature, °C day and night
June
July
August
September
October
november
December
January
February
March
April
Petra Hotels
For maximum safety of the city, all tourism infrastructure taken to the nearby town of Wadi Musa, which is just a few minutes walk from Petra. There are many hotels in the city different levels, including 4-5 "stars".
The cost of living in guest houses and small three-star hotels is from 15-20 JOD per night. Almost all rooms are equipped with modern furniture and a private bathroom, as well as free Wi-Fi.
It is best to go to Petra with an overnight stay: one day may not be enough for an inspection. Due to the constant influx of tourists, it is better to book a hotel in advance.
The most expensive hotel in the city is Movenpick Resort Petra, located just 50 meters from the main entrance to Petra. It offers several on-site restaurants, a fitness center and a rooftop garden, and room rates start at JOD 100 per night. The best view of the mountains opens from the windows family hotel Rocky Mountain (from 27 JOD per day).
What to bring
One of the most popular souvenirs is decorative bottles filled with colorful sand. You can find these at almost any resort. The difference between the local ones is that they are filled with natural (and not artificially colored) colored sand mined in the canyons of Petra. Inside, a camel is most often depicted against the background of the desert, but skilled artists can make any name out of grains of sand in just a couple of minutes. The cost of such souvenirs is 1-12 JOD depending on the size.
There are a lot of jewelery dealers in Petra: they walk literally everywhere and offer all kinds of rings, bracelets and necklaces. A fair price for most jewelry is 1-5 JOD, even if the seller stubbornly claims that they are made of pure silver.
What to try
There are food vending machines and small shops all over Petra where you can grab a quick bite and buy hot or cold drinks. By the way, it is better to stock up on drinks in advance: in hot summer days a traveler may need up to 4 liters of water. The cost of a 1.5 liter bottle is 1-1.50 JOD.
There are few restaurants on the territory of Petra, mainly they serve dishes of oriental, Mediterranean and international cuisine. The average score in Petra Magic or Silk Road is 18-36 JOD. In a more modest Sun City with an open terrace and hookahs, it is much cheaper: 4-18 JOD per person.
Much more cafes and restaurants in the nearby village of Wadi Musa. Be sure to try Arabic unleavened bread "hobz", bean paste "fuul" and the famous falafel - deep-fried bean balls.
For the most desperate gourmets - the Bedouin dish "mansaf": a lamb served whole (with a head) with a side dish of rice and nuts.
The best photos of Petra
Guides in Petra
Entertainment and attractions of Petra
Petra is not just a city, but a unique archaeological park with many attractions, so at the entrance you will have to buy a ticket for 55 JOD (for 1 day) or for 60 JOD (for 2 days). An important nuance: tourists arriving in Jordan for just a day must pay almost twice as much for entry, 90 JOD. IN tourist center you can hire a guide (from 50 JOD), large hotels offer rental of a portable audio guide for 10 JOD per day. If you wish, you can download it to your mobile, but for this you will need to purchase a Jordanian SIM card.
The cost of the entrance ticket to Petra is 55 JOD.
The Petra Gate is a winding Siq, a sandstone canyon about 2 km long. The picturesque road is decorated with bizarre stone sculptures and carved rock bas-reliefs. On the sides you can see the remains of terracotta pipes used for water supply since the time of the ancient Romans.
At the exit of the gorge is located majestic palace El-Khazneh (Treasury, or Treasury) is 42 m high. It was carved into a solid rock in the 1st century, an urn is installed on its top, in which, according to legend, countless treasures were once kept. According to one version, they belonged Egyptian pharaoh, on the other - to the robbers who attacked the caravans. One way or another, traces of bullets are still visible on the urn: many wanted to test the theory.
The next stop is the Square of Facades, where one after another there are temples and tombs carved into the rocks. At the end of the street is the Roman amphitheater, which can accommodate about 7 thousand spectators. It was built by the Nabateans and later expanded by the Romans. Performances are held here today, but, of course, much less frequently than in ancient times.
Just a few minutes walk from the amphitheater (up the hill) are the Royal Tombs, impressive in their size. For whom they were intended - has not been clarified so far.
Another famous attraction of Petra is the monastery of Ad-Dair, a Nabataean rock temple built in the 1st century AD. e. To see this monumental building 45 meters high with your own eyes, you will have to overcome more than 800 steps. Hiking takes a little more than an hour, but you can also get there on a donkey (although this is not much faster and more convenient).
The building of Ad-Dair can be seen in the blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
There are more than 800 historical objects in Petra. Among them - high place with altars for sacrifices, Mount Jebel Haroun, Palace of the daughter of the pharaoh and others majestic monuments nature and architecture.
A special pleasure for tourists is a night visit to Petra. Tours run from 20:30 to 22:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. At night, Petra appears before travelers in the light of hundreds of candles, accompanied by traditional Bedouin music.
7 things to do in Petra
- Climb 800 steps to Ad-Dair Temple.
- Count the bullet holes in the urn on top of Al-Khazneh Palace. b
July
August
September
October
november
December
December and January are the coldest and rainiest months. This period is also characterized by a large temperature difference: during the day it is very warm, in the evening and at night it is cold. So, if you are planning a trip during this time, bring warm clothes with you. And be sure to check the weather forecast: if showers are predicted, it is better to postpone the trip, because there is so much precipitation in winter here that rescuers have to evacuate tourists due to floods.
The best time to visit Petra is in the summer, but even then there are a few things to consider. important nuances. First, stock up on water beforehand to avoid dehydration. Secondly, do not forget a panama hat, which will save you from heat stroke, and vaseline ointment, which will help stop nosebleeds (which can be provoked by the hot and dry air of the valley).
