A visit to Petra is just like being in a movie. It’s an absolute must for anyone visiting Jordan. Let’s follow the winding Siq gorge until the towering Treasury emerges and explore this magical city.
Petra’s significance
Petra, Jordan by Erin Clifford
The Nabateans built the ancient city of Petra in a remote valley in Jordan and made it their capital. Homes, temples, and tombs were chiselled into the sandstone. An ingenious water system was built to allow lush gardens and farming to support the city.
As the city’s population grew to around 30,000, it became a centre for spice and silk trade. Economic wealth from the 25% tax on imports funded the building of polytheistic temples, colonnades and baths. When trade routes later shifted, Petra began to decline.
A major earthquake in 363 CE and a tremor in 551 caused the city to be abandoned. It was rediscovered in 1812, and archeologists have found evidence of copper mining, religious high places, the vast network of cisterns and reservoirs designed to control and conserve seasonal rains and artistically carved tombs.
Some also say this is where Moses, from the Christian Bible, is said to have struck a rock to bring water gushing forth. Many Westerners believed Petra to be merely a myth until 1812 when Swiss adventurer Johann Burckhardt posed as a Muslim pilgrim looking for the tomb of the prophet Aaron and had a Bedouin guide bring him to the city.
The site was World Heritage-Listed by UNESCO in 1985. In 1989 the city was featured in the film ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’.
What to see and do in Petra in a day
Taking a guided tour through the lost city of Petra is the best way to explore and learn about each archeological wonder. Allow an entire day at Petra to ensure no fascinating stone is unturned. Here’s how to explore Petra in a day.
Petra’s ancient dam
At the upper part of the canyon that leads into the ancient city of Petra is a large dam that collects and holds water that was channelled into the city to water the gardens. It’s over 2,000 years old and yet still intact.
The Siq
The Siq Canyon in Petra, Jordan by Dennis Bunnik
The canyon leads from the nearby town of Wadi Musa to the lost city. The walking trail continues through the Siq Canyon for around half an hour to reach the Treasury. The rock canal is around 160m long and varies from three to twelve metres wide, stretching 80m towards the sky.
The canyon is formed from natural rock and partially sculpted by the Nabataeans. A water channel on each side of the trail is lined with terracotta half pipes, where water once flowed from the dam into the city. Some of the original white limestone paving blocks can also be seen along the path, and numerous niches and apses in the wall contain carved statuettes.
Looking back from the open space at Petra, the Siq is merely a narrow gap in the rock, sealed off from the world beyond.
The Treasury (Al Khazna)
At the end of the cool, covered trail is the Treasury, or Al Khazna, the most photographed and well-known building in ancient Petra. The building got its name from the sculpted urn at the top, which Bedouins believed contained great treasure but was, in fact, a memorial for Nabataean royalty.
The Treasury is two stories high. Greek carvings adorn the first level, and Roman carvings decorate the upper level. At the very top are Egyptian icons. The interior walls have ribbons of colour in the rock, which can be seen from outside.
The building’s original purpose is unclear. Some archaeologists believe it was a temple, while others think it was a place where documents were stored. Recent excavations revealed a graveyard underneath the structure.
Al Khazna in Petra, Jordan by Erin Clifford
The Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre in Petra, Jordan by Erin Clifford
The Nabateans (not the Romans) built this amphitheatre more than 2,000 years ago. Like so many structures in Petra, the amphitheatre is chiselled from rock. It once seated around 3,000 people in 45 rows of seats. The orchestra section is carved from rock, and the outlines of the entrances where performers once entered can still be made out.
Later when the Romans took control of Petra they expanded the amphitheatre, cutting into nearby tombs.
The Monastery (Al-Deir)
The Monastery, or Al-Deir, is at the top of a steep hill. It has a similar design to the Treasury but is much larger. There are over 800 steps leading up to it, or visitors can ride a donkey to the top, for a fee. There’s even a small restaurant where visitors can refresh their energy with freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.
Al-Deir in Petra, Jordan by Annelieke Huijgens
The High Place of Sacrifice
Up the steps from the Amphitheatre is the High Place of Sacrifice. Six-metre obelisks mark the way to the sacrificial platform, amazingly carved directly out of the rock where they stand (not built on top!). These red rock totems are dedicated to the Nabatean gods Dushara and Al ‘Uzza.
In ancient times, this area would be exclusive to those performing religious rites and sacrifices. Stone bowls for cleansing, a large triclinium and a repository where the god statues were kept are near the circular altar.
The views from the High Place extend over the Royal Tombs, and it’s well worth the climb (or donkey ride).
Learn about Nabataean afterlife rituals
Umm Al-Biyara Mountain in Petra, Jordan by Gary Hayes
The archaeological remains in and around Petra include numerous tombs. The Nabataeans placed a great emphasis on the afterlife.
Funerary inscriptions carved on the tombs are in Aramaic. The inscriptions list who may be buried in the tomb and the penalties or curses that apply to anyone who violates the instructions.
Climb Umm Al-Biyara
Petra’s highest mountain is Umm Al-Biyara. From here the view includes the main street crossing the ancient city and the layout of the temples. The view is especially picturesque at sunset or sunrise as the sandstone city glows with a golden or rose-coloured hue.
See Petra at night
At dusk, Petra is lit with hundreds of candles. The Siq is lined with candlelight, and guides tell stories while visitors enjoy traditional Bedouin music. Seeing the ancient rock city lit by candlelight is a truly unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of Jordan!
Make a dream come true on a journey through Petra in Jordan with a small group tour
Travel to Jordan with a small group of like-minded travellers to see Petra, Jerash, the city of Amman and the desert at Wadi Rum. With so much to see in this fascinating country, including artefacts and ruins from before Roman times, it’s time to start planning a trip!
A small group tour of Jordan provides comfort and certainty for the journey. Each traveller will have time to ask questions of their guide, plus plenty of room to stretch out on the bus. At Bunnik Tours, we make sure there’s time to explore and enjoy every wonderful destination — join us for a tour this year to start creating lifelong connections and memories.
Questions about Petra
Can visitors enter the Petra Treasury?
No. This restriction aims to keep visitors safe from any potential instability in the ancient rock structure. It’s worth noting that there is nothing inside the Treasury.
The Petra Archaeological Park is a protected area of 264 square kilometres managed by Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to ensure that the needs of local communities and tourists are balanced with the preservation of the integrity of the property.
Is it worth getting a guide for Petra?
Absolutely! A guide will walk visitors through the incredible history of this ancient site, adding details and stories that bring the rock-carved buildings, tombs and religious places to life.