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Step rStepping out of Queen Alia International Airport, the capital city of Amman greeted us with a hot, dry atmosphere and a faint scent of jasmine. The city stretches across seven hills, with modern buildings interspersed with ancient architecture. Thousands of years old and influenced by major civilizations such as Greece and Rome, Amman boasts numerous historical sites to explore. However, due to time constraints, our trip focused primarily on Petra.
After more than three hours of driving from the capital, the group arrived at Petra, an ancient city nestled in a gorge, completely isolated from the outside world, atop a mountain range reaching 1,000 meters above sea level. Petra is carved deep into the cliff face, surrounded by sheer rock walls. To enter the ancient city, one must pass through the Siq, a narrow gorge more than 1 kilometer long, flanked by majestic, winding cliffs about 80 meters high.
The deep red color and the unique shapes of the rock formations create a truly captivating spectacle. World-renowned for the vibrant colors of its rock, Petra is also known as the "City of Red Roses." In fact, the rocks here are not limited to red; they also come in various other colors such as orange, yellow, purple, green, and blue. The most beautiful moments of the day are mid-morning or late afternoon, when the slanted sunlight highlights the magnificent colors of the rock formations.
Once very famous in antiquity, Petra, with its 20,000 inhabitants, mysteriously disappeared for over 1,400 years and was only rediscovered in 1802 thanks to the efforts of some Swiss experts. Nestled deep in a rocky valley, the city had an extremely rugged and secretive geographical location. The Roman Empire once attacked Petra but suffered a crushing defeat, and the generals vowed never to return. According to researchers, Petra's decline was due to abandonment, not invasion. However, the reason for its abandonment remains unknown to this day.
Built in the 3rd century BC, Petra belonged to the Nabatean Arab people. Situated at a crossroads of trade connecting China, India, Egypt, and Rome, Petra was a transit point for the most luxurious goods of the time: silk, spices, precious stones, camels, olive oil, and wine. Thanks to very high taxes on these goods, the city became extremely wealthy and was able to build massive and magnificent architectural structures right in Petra.
Unlike all other cities of their time, the Nabateans did not use any building materials from outside; they relied solely on their carving skills, hollowing out the surfaces of massive rocks to create enormous pillars, caves, and roofs. This is also astonishing because the ancient Arab peoples were nomadic and never left any traces demonstrating such impressive architectural skills.
Petra once encompassed temples, royal residences, and civilian homes. However, only the temples remain intact today. A thorough tour would require approximately four or five days. Petra's architecture reflects a close relationship between the city and neighboring civilizations. For example, the temple facades exhibit a strong Greek and Roman influence, featuring colossal columns and triangular porticoes.
Our first attraction was the Great Temple, which can accommodate 600 people. The temple's main motif is the exquisite elephant head carved into the limestone. Nearby is a temple, partly situated on a hill, dedicated to winged lions, and inside is an open-air Roman theater that can hold over 2,000 spectators. The stage and seating are also carved into the rock.
In addition, Petra boasts Romanesque cathedrals capable of holding up to three thousand people. There are towers, temples, shrines, and streets adorned with colonnades. Another must-see is the Ad-Deir monastery, situated atop a mountain. To reach it, visitors must climb 800 steps carved from stone under the scorching sun. But once at the top, the panoramic view of the city overwhelms everyone, making them forget their fatigue.
Petra also has numerous tombs, mostly located on the outskirts of the city. Many of them are extremely elaborately designed. The most famous tomb in Petra is Khazneh, which is 43 meters high and 30 meters wide, with massive columns. The sculptures here are also incredibly impressive, featuring lion-headed birds, eagles, and vivid depictions of poppies, grapes, pomegranates, and more.
Rose motifs, symbols of royalty, were also found. Beyond their mastery of rock carving, the Nabateans also impress modern scientists with their water storage and distribution system: a series of rock reservoirs and aqueducts carved into the rock face. Surrounded by arid mountains, retaining rainwater was crucial for Petra's survival.
