The history of Petra began many centuries ago, and historians still have not reached a consensus on the time of origin of this architectural monument. There are suggestions that the first structures appeared here as early as the 6th century BC. It can be reliably said that the city already existed at the beginning of the 4th century BC, as evidenced by references to Petra preserved in written sources by ancient Greek travelers.
You can enter the city only through the narrow and winding Siq gorge. The rocks hanging over the passage almost close together at a height of about 100 meters, inspiring awe in travelers. The high vertical cliffs, creating a natural stone canopy, "protect" the city from sandstorms of the Arabian Desert, the sun, and precipitation.
To this day, full-flowing channels carved into the rock as early as BC can be seen in the cliffs. The hydraulic systems created by ancient engineers several thousand years ago simply cannot but amaze. The channels laid in the walls of the gorge are designed to collect rainwater, which was delivered to the city through clay pipes. The ancient hydraulic system provided the Nabataeans, living in one of the driest regions – the Arabian Desert, not only with water for domestic needs but also for agriculture.
In Petra, everything necessary for a comfortable life of the population was created: residential and utility buildings, sanctuaries, an amphitheater, a market, baths, and other structures. Most of the buildings of the "pink" city are carved into the rocks.
Natural stone with a reddish tint and winding veins creates amazingly beautiful and unique ornaments on the walls of the structures. Even without the interior decoration, which has not survived to this day, the rooms look like luxurious halls.
The favorable location of Petra at the crossroads of trade routes from the Persian Gulf to Gaza and from the Red Sea to Damascus was of great importance for the Nabataean Kingdom. For the opportunity to rest, stock up on provisions, and water their camels, merchants crossing the Arabian Desert were ready to pay any tribute, which became the main source of income for the Nabataeans. However, after the opening of sea trade routes, Petra began to lose its power and popularity, and by the 7th century AD the city was almost deserted, partly due to increasingly frequent earthquakes.
Until the beginning of the 19th century, the Old World knew nothing about the existence of the ancient city until it was discovered by the Swiss Ludwig Burckhardt. Today, Petra is one of the most visited attractions in Jordan. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists come to see the ancient and mysterious city, in the depths of which, according to legend, countless treasures of a once-prosperous people are hidden.
PR