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The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan’s national treasures and by far its best known tourist attraction. Petra is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritages Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Inhabited by the Nabateans, Edomites and Romans, Petra brought together the knowledge and skill of these civilizations to create this world wonder. Caravans laden with incense, silks, spices and other exotic goods would rest at Petra.
This site is one of Jordan’s UNESCO world heritage sites
The Nabateans, who were from Arab origin were known for being distinct and clever traders who managed to turn Petra into an important connection for the silk.
Petra is considered one of the most famed archaeological sites in the world. Thousands of visitors from all over the world visit Jordan and the region each year just to see the place that is considered ‘Jordan’s Treasure’.
In 1985, Petra was chosen as a World Heritage Site and was selected by Smithsonian Magazine as “one of the 28 places you should visit before you die.” In July of 2007, Petra was proclaimed as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
During the Exodus, The Prophet Moses and the Israelites passed through the Petra area in Edom. Local tradition says that the spring at Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses), just outside Petra, is the place where Moses struck the rock and brought forth water (Numbers 20:10-11).
In the Holy Bible, it has been stated that Moses was not allowed to enter the Holy Land but could only glimpse it from Mount Nebo, because he struck the rock with his rod to bring forth water, instead of speaking to it as God had commanded him (Numbers 20:12-24).
It is believed that Petra was the last staging post of the three kings, who took frankincense, gold and myrrh to honor the baby Jesus in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12). The King Aretas, mentioned in Corinthians 11:32, was a Nabataean king who ruled Petra.
The Nabataeans, Edomites, and Romans inhabited Petra, and this fusion of civilizations resulted in the creation of this world wonder. Caravans that were heavily laden with exotic goods such as incense, silks, and spices would rest at Petra, making it an important hub for trade.
One fascinating location to visit is Little Petra or “Beidah,” which is a Neolithic site that dates back to 7200BC to 6500BC, making it one of the first settled villages in human history. It is believed that during this period, hunters and gatherers lived seasonally in this fertile and sheltered area. The village was rebuilt after it burned down, and remnants of the houses and a retaining wall are still visible today. Beidha Neolithic site is located within the protected area of the Petra Archaeological Park and is one of the oldest settlements in Jordan. It is a significant historical location that offers a glimpse into the transition from semi-settled nomads to settled villagers and the start of an agrarian economy.
In the Neolithic period, between 8,330 and 7,000 B.C., a permanent village of farmers occupied Beidha, and the practice of agriculture and the herding of domesticated goats and sheep began. Many of the concepts and practices that we use today in agrarian societies originated from small settlements such as these. The settlers lived in round houses that were easy to construct, but they had a significant drawback – it was difficult to add a room to a round structure. The struggle for a solution is visible in the remains of the houses at Beidha.
For those interested in learning more about Petra, the Petra Museum is an excellent place to visit. Located on the main tourist street and only a three-minute walk from the main gate to Petra, the museum contains 280 artifacts dating back to different ages. The exhibition consists of five halls showcasing the history of Petra and information about the Nabatean’s life and civilization.
Petra by Night is an unforgettable experience that allows visitors to witness the breathtaking beauty of Petra at night by the light of 1,800 candles. Walking through the Siq to the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) following a candle-lit path while enjoying the haunting music of the Bedouins at the Treasury is truly out-of-this-world. Tours start at 8.30pm and finish at 10.00pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so visitors should allow plenty of time to walk through the Siq to avoid missing the show. Visiting Petra during the day is awe-inspiring, but Petra by Night takes it to a whole new level.
Find out what to see in Petra and how to organize the visit, it is useful to know how this tourist site is distributed. Broadly speaking, we can speak of the following nuclei or spaces:
As we said above, to visit Petra you must go to Wadi Musa, which is the town that gives access to this tourist site. The Kings Highway, one of the great north-south axes of the country, passes through here. For this reason, the private vehicle option is one of the simplest and most used to get to Petra. Here are some distances, with their respective durations, to give you an idea of the trip: