Petra, Jordan

It is not at all surprising that the ancient city of Petra, which is the main attraction , which Jordan is rightfully proud of, entered the list of new seven wonders of the world. The unique feature of Petra is that the city is completely carved in the rocks, this sight amazes and captures the spirit. By the way, the name of this unique place on the planet is translated as "stone".

History of Petra

The oldest city of Petra in Jordan has more than 2,000 years of existence, and some sources show even 4000 years. The history of Petra in Jordan began with the Edomites, who built a small fortress on the basis of these rocks. Then the city became the capital of the Nabataean kingdom and remained until the year 106 AD. After the unusual rocky fortifications passed into the possession of the Romans, then Byzantines, Arabs and in the XII century became the prey of the Crusaders. From the XVI to the beginning of the XIX century Peter remained empty, no one knew where the stone city was, enveloped in secrets and legends. Only in 1812 the complex of Peter in Jordan was found by a traveler from Switzerland, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Since then, for 200 years, tourists from all over the world have never ceased to admire this magnificent legacy of antiquity.

Modern Petra

It is interesting that throughout its history the city of Petra in Jordan was built up by various "masters", but to this day only the most ancient buildings that appeared before the VI century AD have been preserved. So the modern Petra represents the real appearance of the ancient Petra. You can get to the city by the only and extremely exotic way - the kilometer gorge Sik, which was once a bed of mountain stream. Throughout the route of the entrance to the city, there are altars, ancient sculptures and unusual colored sands. The exit from the gorge leads directly to the majestic facade of El Hazne - the temple-palace, which is called the Treasury, because according to legend there are treasures that have not been found by anyone yet. It's amazing, but the facade of the temple of Petra in Jordan, carved 20 centuries ago, today remains untouched by time.

Sights of Petra

The sandy mountains of Petra in Jordan contain about 800 sights, while scientists say that Petra has been studied only by 15%, and most of her riddles will never be solved. The Nabataean ruins of Petra in Jordan stretch for several kilometers, they can not be circumvented in a single day. Even tickets here are sold immediately for three days, so that tourists can have time to consider everything.

1. The Temple of El Hazne , mentioned above, never revealed to the researchers the secret of its destiny. Some believe that this is the temple of Isis, others say that it is the tomb of one of the rulers of the Nabataean kingdom. But the most important question of historians is how to create such a structure in general, if it is still not possible today.
2. The amphitheater of Petra, carved into a rock, can accommodate 6000 people. Presumably, the construction of the amphitheater was started by the Nabataeans, but such a scope was given to him by the Romans, who completed the construction to such a magnificent size.
3. Ed-Deir - another amazing construction of the temple complex of Peter in Jordan. This is a monastery, towering at 45 meters at the top of a cliff and 50 meters wide. Probably, Ed Deir was a Christian church, which is said about the crosses carved on the walls.
4. The temple of winged lions is a complex, the entrance to which is guarded by statues of winged lions. Being mostly destroyed, he still attracts his columns and the fact that in his excavation reveals a lot of meaningful artifacts.
5. Temple of Dushary or the Palace of the daughter of Pharaoh is a detached building that has been preserved, unlike many destroyed. Today it is restored and impressive with its 22-meter-high walls, built on a carved platform.