By common agreement one of the world's most unique treasures.
There are excavated remains of prehistoric and
Edomite villages in and
around Petra, but its main claim to fame was as the capital of the Nabatean
Empire from the 4th Century BC to its absorption by Rome in 68 AD. The
many-colored sandstone mountains which ring the site inspired Nabatean
craftsmen to carve elaborate architectural facades outside the caves which
were used for public buildings, homes and tombs. The Nabateans and later the
Romans and Byzantines also erected stone buildings. Today you can see the
city's central street, several large stone temples and a few other buildings,
but most of this 20-square-mile city hasn't even been excavated yet. Anybody
who would like to finance this worthwhile endeavor should immediately contact
the Jordanian Department of Antiquities.
You should plan on spending at least two days exploring Petra--more,
if possible. Be warned, though, that you will do a great deal of walking and
climbing while you're here. There are no wheelchair access facilities. Wear
your most comfortable shoes, and bring some sun protection. You can hire a
donkey to carry you up to some of the important mountaintop remains.
Most of the visitors to Petra spend no
more than three hours inside the site. They make the `city center' tour, which
includes the Treasury, the roman Theater and the central temple area. This is
only the beginning. It's also the part of the site where you'll find the most
other tourists. It is a terrible waste to come from a long distance and then
just skim the surface. Some of the other areas of Petra you should visit are:
ad-Deir (the Monastery)--the largest carved facade, it is basically a whole
mountainside carved into a temple overlooking Wadi Araba and (on a clear day)
the Sinai. The High Place of Sacrifice--the altar and worship areas are carved
from the top of this mountain, which is centrally located to give you a
wonderful panoramic view of the Petra center below.
Jabal Harun (Aaron)--the highest mountain of Petra, and traditional burial
site of Moses' brother Aaron. There is a mosque and shrine atop this peak, and
a very ancient tomb with Hebraic inscriptions. You can hire a camel for most
of the 2 1/2 hour climb, but the last bit has to be done on foot.
Um al Biyara--Meaning, in Arabic, `Mother of
Wells.' Fitting for a flat-topped massive mountain where the Nabateans located
their fabulous system of cisterns. There is an excavated Edomite settlement on
this mountain, and an unexcavated but very large Nabatean temple. The elegant
ramped processional way (once you get up that far) attests to the ceremonial
importance of this impressive mountain. The guides all agree that this is the
most difficult climb in Petra. Don't try it on your own.
Wadi Siyagh--A beautiful canyon under ad-Deir,
filled from May through October with a profusion of pink oleanders. There are
a number of interesting facades on this route, including the Convent Group and
the Painted Cave, as well as a natural spring (not potable) and an ancient
quarry.
Sabra--Petra's southern suburb, this was a customs point for incoming
caravans. The Romans added baths, a theater and a garrison. Wadi Sabra, your
route to this site, is a charming canyon with a large number of unexcavated
tombs and houses.
Siq al Barid--meaning, in Arabic,
`cold canyon' because the entryway and site are so narrow that sunlight seldom
penetrates. This was the northern suburb, with a large number of Nabatean
facades and even some fresco.
Baidha Neolithic Village--adjacent to Siq al Barid, this 9,000-year-old
agricultural village is only missing roofs.
