Temple of Petra in Jordan. The ancient city of Petra in Jordan. Road to Petra

Petra (Arabic: البتراء read “Al-Batra”) is an ancient city located in the southwest of Jordan, former capital Edomites, and later - the Nabatean kingdom. Located at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level in the narrow Siq canyon. The capital of Jordan, Amman, is 236 km away.

The ancient city of Petra is one of the new wonders of the world and is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Millions of tourists flock here to see the rock city with their own eyes. The spectacle is truly impressive, as it is impossible to believe that this was created several thousand years ago.

Petra - history of the city

The history of the city of Petra in Jordan began in the 18th century. BC, when the Edomites were the owners here (XVIII - II centuries BC), they laid the foundation for many buildings. Next were the Nabataeans (II century BC - 106 AD), then the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs. And in the XII century. AD the city belonged to the crusaders.

Who built Petra and why?

The name of the city of Petra is translated from Greek as “rock”, and it is not surprising - after all, the entire ancient city consists entirely of stone. It is also called the “pink” city, because at sunrise and sunset the rocks actually glow scarlet and pink.

The rock city of Petra arose due to the fact that the Nabataeans - Arab nomads - were able to control the flow of water, which was important for the area. When there were flash floods here, people used cisterns and aqueducts - this not only made it possible to survive the drought, but also provided income from selling water to travelers.

At that time, the great city of Petra had an advantageous location, being at the crossroads of strategically important trade routes. One of them connected the Persian Gulf and Gaza, and the other connected the Red Sea and Damascus. Caravans loaded with spices endured the drought of the Arabian Desert for weeks. And then the secluded Siq canyon awaited them, which led to Petra.

For several hundred years, the spice trade brought huge income to the city. But after the Romans opened sea routes to the East, land caravans gradually lost the meaning of their existence and Petra became a lost city, wrapped in sand.

It is unknown whether we would have known about the existence dead city, if in 1812 the traveler from Switzerland Johann Ludwig Burckhardt would not have discovered and described it.

Sights of the city of Petra

Temples, tombs, baths, colonnades - the stone city boasts more than 800 ancient monuments, which are evidence that hardworking and talented people lived here.

To see this wonder of the world, you need to travel several kilometers through the Siq gorge. And this will need to be done on foot. Already here you will be impressed by the sheer cliffs that form the walls of the dark corridor. Coming out of here, the first thing a tourist sees is Al-Khazneh Palace.

El Khazneh Palace is one of the main attractions of Petra; it is the tomb of one of the kings of the Nabataean kingdom. The building is carved into a huge rock, has an elegant pediment and towering columns. To this day, it remains a mystery how the builders in those days managed to create such a structure - without scaffolding (there are no trees in this area) and special equipment. There is a version that the Al-Khazneh Palace was the temple of the goddess Isis.

Walking around the rock in which the palace is carved, you can see many buildings carved in stone - these are former residential buildings, staircases, arches, and even a Roman amphitheater, which once could accommodate about 4,000 spectators.

The city has two archaeological museums, many monuments of biblical chronicles - Mount Aaron, on which the high priest, according to legend, died; Wadi Musa valley; source of Ain-Musa (Moses). Also here you can see Qazr al-Bint - main temple Nabatean kingdom.

Another attraction that amazes with its beauty is the Ed-Deir monastery, which is located on the top of a cliff. The height of the building is about 45 meters and the width is 50 meters. The monastery has only one room and a staircase that leads to a niche. The square in front of Ed-Deir once had columns and various religious ceremonies were held here. Opposite the monastery, a cafe was organized for tourists so that they could hide in the shade and enjoy the beauty of antiquity with a cool drink.

Excursions to the city of Petra

You can go to Petra on your own or take a tour. One day may not be enough to thoroughly explore all the sights, so we recommend staying at a hotel in the neighboring town of Wadi Musa. This is where all the tourism infrastructure is concentrated. are not numerous - there are about 40 hotel properties in the city, prices start from $16, the average cost per day is $70.

What to bring from your trip:

• souvenirs with colored sand;
• figurines with landmarks;
• jewelry.

How to get there

From Amman to Petra it is a 3 hour drive if you follow the Desert Highway. You can also go to " Royal Road", but then it will take 5 hours.

By bus

A bus runs daily from Abdali bus station in Aman to Petra; it leaves in the morning at 06:30, travel time is 3.5 hours. The bus leaves back to Aman at 17:00. The one-way fare is 10 Jordanian dinars (approximately $14).

By minibus

There is also a Wihdat bus station in Aman, from where minibuses depart several times a day. The fare is 5 Jordanian dinars (about $7). Travel time - 3 hours.

From other countries

If you are vacationing in Egypt or Israel, then you also have the opportunity to visit Petra. Almost everything travel agencies resorts organize tours to Jordan.

Entrance fees:

• for 1 day - 50 Jordanian dinars ($70);
• for 2 days - 55 Jordanian dinars ($77);
• for those arriving in Jordan for just a day, entrance to Petra will cost 90 Jordanian dinars ($127);
• guide - 50 Jordanian dinars ($70);
• night excursion (from 20:30 to 22:00) - 17 Jordanian dinars ($24).

106 km from Petra there is another interesting attraction of Jordan - the nature reserve, or Valley of the Moon.

On the hottest days, such as Fridays or holidays, Petra receives up to 3,000 visitors. On a normal day - 1500 people. If there are less than 1000 tourists, the day is considered quiet. So try not to come on a Friday or a weekend if you don't like crowds. However, it must be said that the city is so large that you will always find a less crowded place.

How long to spend here

The village of Wadi Musa, which serves Petra, has no more than 1,200 beds, so many come to one day excursion from Aqaba or Amman. For a thorough inspection, it makes sense to spend at least two nights in the city, or even better, three, in order to devote two days entirely to exploring the city.

How to get there

Petra is located 260 km from Amman, the trip there takes 3.5 hours along the Desert Highway and 6 hours along the Royal Highway. Day excursions JETT bus departs at 6.00 (in winter at 6.30) and return at 15.30 (in winter at 15.00). The ticket price includes lunch in Petra; entrance ticket is paid separately.

Panorama of Petra

Admission ticket

Please note that admission prices have skyrocketed to astronomical heights: in February 2007, a one-day ticket cost 21 dinars, a two-day ticket cost 26 dinars, and a three-day ticket cost 31 dinars. Children under 15 years old are admitted free of charge. In the late 1980s, the entrance ticket cost only 1 dinar. Entry by horse will cost you an additional 7 dinars, and by car - 20 dinars.

Tourists on camels

Preparing for your visit

First of all, you need to be in good physical shape to be able to explore everything the city has to offer: there will be a lot of walking, climbing up uneven paths and uncomfortable surfaces. Also, shoes are very important. It should be comfortable and able to withstand prolonged contact with an untreated surface.

The next equally important thing is sun protection. Wear loose clothing that does not fit your body, a hat, and sunscreen. You will also need water. Bring a small bottle with you to avoid dehydration. From food - something small and non-melting, like nuts or cereal.

Influx of tourists

Service

Today there is no shortage of refreshment stalls in the city; There are a few good restaurants, concentrated in the Qasr Al-Bint area, an hour's walk from the entrance. However, the prices are quite high, so you may prefer to bring something that is not too heavy. There are few toilets here, and they are all located in restaurants.

Photography

Don't forget to take your camera with you, because Petra is one of the most photogenic places in the world. When shooting, it is important to take into account the angle of incidence of the sun's rays. The sun illuminates the facade of the Treasury from 9.00 to 10.00 in winter and from 8.30 to 9.30 in summer. As for the second monumental facade, Ad Deir, the sun does not hit it until 14.00.

Petra: from the Siku entrance

Bab al-Siq (Gateway to Siq)

Once through the entrance gate, you will be walking through a wide, open valley for the first 15-20 minutes. The first sights you will see here are the tombstones of the genies. (genies are characters from Arabic folklore, similar to our ghosts or spirits). This is a group of three free-standing stone cubes to the right of the road. These are believed to be tombstones. The largest block is deeply carved with a crow's footprint design, a common Nabatean design and a signature of Petra.

Obelisk in the rock

Continuing along the main path, you will come to an obelisk carved into the rock on your left. It dates back to the 1st century. n. BC, the period of the last Nabatean kings, and shows traces of a wide variety of influences - Egyptian in the obelisks resembling pyramids, and classical in the columns, pediments and niches for statues. In fact, these are two tombs one on top of the other: the upper one with four obelisks and the lower one in the shape of a triclinium with benches carved into the rock on three sides.

Sik

narrow gorge

After the trail makes its final bend to the right along the valley, you come directly to the Siq, climbing up a small slope of the dam and then descending to the level of the gorge. This dam was built to mark and secure the entrance to the Siq after a group of tourists drowned in a flood in 1963.

During the time of the Nabateans, the Siq was paved with limestone along its entire length - only fragments of this “pavement” remain today. At its narrowest point, the Siq is only 2 meters wide, which makes the 100-meter cliffs rising on both sides look even more impressive. The colors of the rocks here are mostly red-brown; time, wind and rain have eroded them and given them bizarre shapes. In many places you can see fragments of stone stairs leading to abandoned sanctuaries hidden in the rocks.

Dam

Water supply systems

While constructing a dam at the entrance to the Siq, the builders discovered traces of an ancient Nabatean dam and water canals; they managed to some extent to “rely” on these structures when constructing new ones. Apparently, the Nabataeans also wanted to use the Siq as a year-round entrance to the city, which required protecting it from winter floods. They also invented a workable water supply system: water flowed through canals carved into the rocks on either side of the Siq - these canals can still be seen today, particularly on the left, at human height. And on the right there are several ceramic pipes preserved.

Peter: from the treasury to the high altar

Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

The walk along the Siq takes almost half an hour, but it usually feels longer due to the many twists and turns of the path and because you will rarely see more than 20m of the path in front of you. All the better will you remember the moment when the brightly lit façade of the Treasury at the end of a dark gorge suddenly appears before you.

The Bedouins call the Treasury "Al-Jerra" ("Urn")- a 4-meter urn rises above its portico. Local belief says that this urn contains the treasures of the pharaohs. The urn is the least preserved detail of the façade; it is dotted with traces of rifle shots - barbaric attempts to destroy it and extract treasures.

In fact, like the entire monument, the urn is carved into the rock. The hidden location of the Treasury allowed other architectural elements of the facade to be preserved - decorative friezes and statues.

The original purpose of the building and the date of its construction remained a mystery for a long time. Some scientists attributed it to the 1st century. BC e., others - to the I-II centuries. n. e. However, modern scholars are inclined to believe that it was erected during the reign of Aretas IV, who died in 40 AD. e. It is believed that this was the sanctuary of Tyche (Isis), the goddess depicted in the center of the pediment with a cornucopia in her hands. According to another version, this is the tombstone of the king.

Most scholars are convinced that foreign workers and architects took part in the construction of the Treasury - otherwise it is impossible to explain the combination of such diverse elements in Nabataean design. The columns and capitals are Corinthian, the huge obelisks are Egyptian, and the statue of Tyche (Isis) clearly bears traces of Alexandrian influence (Petra actively traded with Alexandria). On the facade of the building you can see figures of winged sphinxes, a lion, a panther, snakes and dancing Amazons. In contrast, the interior is very simple, not to say ascetic.

200 m from the Treasury you will see a sign, following which you will come to this amazing monument. The steep climb up the steps carved into the rock and through the corridor will take about 35 minutes; an impressive transition into another world - full of silence and removed from Petra's heart. It’s as if you are participating in a ritual procession - and indeed, the priests once walked along the same path, leading the procession to the place of sacrifice. Two 7-meter high obelisks mark the entrance to this sanctuary, located behind the ruined fortress. At the top of the sandstone mountain there is an altar; Steps lead to it, and gutters extend from it to drain the blood of sacrificial animals.

Nothing specific about the ceremonies held here is known, but the view from the altar is stunning - you can even see Aaron's tiny tomb on Mount Jebel Haroun (Mount Aaron), revered by Muslims and visited by Christian pilgrims.

Petra: from the theater to Ad-Deir

Theater

There is a theater 300 m to the left of the Siq. Despite the fact that the building has been badly damaged by erosion, it is still impressive in its size and surprises with the scale of work that was required to carve 40 rows of seats into the rock. Like the Treasury, it was erected during the time of Aretas IV (1st century AD). It was later rebuilt by the Romans, who captured Petra in 106, but all the work of the masons went down the drain due to the terrible earthquake of 363. The theater could accommodate about 8,000 spectators.

Qasr Al-Bint (Palace of the Virgin)

This temple, dominating the Lower City, is the most important Nabatean temple of Petra. It was built in the 1st century. BC e. The "Virgin" to whom it is dedicated was supposedly the daughter of the pharaoh who lived in the temple but suffered from a lack of water. She announced that she would marry the man who would provide the palace with water supply. Probably, such a craftsman was found, because during excavations, channels and a drainage carved into the stone were discovered at the foot of the palace.

The impressive facade is made of sandstone blocks; its height in some places reaches 25 m. In the center of the temple there is the sanctum sanctorum, where a statue of the deity used to stand. Busts of people standing in niches were destroyed in the heat of the fight against paganism. During the time of the Romans, the temple fell into disrepair; in the Byzantine period and the Middle Ages there were living quarters and stables here.

Ad-Deir (Monastery)

The climb to Ad Deir is for many the most memorable part of the walk in Petra. There are magnificent panoramic views all around. For two and a half hours, you make a circular procession from Qasr Al Binta past the Tomb of the Lion Triclinium, a rock-cut sanctuary (Qattar al-Deir) and the early Christian Hermitage.

Suddenly you find yourself on the edge of a huge open sand terrace, and to your right rises the colossal rock facade of Ad Deir, the sight of which makes you feel like a pygmy. Its height is 45 m, width - 50 m. This is the largest monument in Petra. The height of the urn at the top of the facade is 10 m. The name "Monastery" comes from the many crosses carved on the rear wall, suggesting that this structure was used by the first Christians in the 4th century, attracted by its secluded location.

Originally it was most likely a Nabataean temple, but some scholars are inclined to consider it the unfinished tomb of one of the Nabataean kings (the fact that the tomb was not completed is evidenced by the absence of any statues or other decorations in the niches). Like the Treasury, this building dates from the 1st century. n. e. It follows the same style, although the stone used for Ad-Deir is yellower and its lines are bolder and more imposing. Conquerors of the peaks will not be able to deny themselves the pleasure of climbing to the urn along the dilapidated steps to the left of the facade.

Tombs of Petra

In the vicinity of Petra, about 107 tombs with benches inside were discovered, and scientists suggest that some of them were used not only for specific, but also for utilitarian purposes - they ate and even slept there.

Tombs of Petra

Hidden corners of Petra

Despite the fact that Petra is visited by 1,500 tourists every day, its 200 km² territory has many corners where you are guaranteed privacy. Below we will talk about some of them.

Al Madras

If you arrive in Petra late in the evening and have a few hours of daylight left, this excursion to the Al Madrasa Sanctuary is an ideal and unconventional choice.

Buy a two-day entry ticket to be able to enter the city the next morning. The path to Al Madras goes to the left before reaching the Siq - where the main road goes to the right. There is a sign here, and the trail begins just beyond it, skirts a low stone wall, and slants southwest toward a group of rocky cliffs. Passing through the woods and then past stone pyramids, you will come out to a staircase carved into stone, broken but wide. In 10 minutes you will overcome several of its flights and come to a grassy sanctuary with stone tombs, cisterns, niches and stairs leading even higher - to two pools and an altar, or “ high place", as it is called in Petra. There are magnificent views from all sides, especially at sunset.

Jebel Haroun and Sabra

Sabra is a free-standing Nabatean suburb of Petra and even has its own theater. You can get here in two hours from Qasr Al-Bint, located in Petra, on foot or by horse. The scenery along the way is beautiful - you'll pass several wadis and mountain peaks, including Jebel Haroun with its white sanctuary and the tomb of the High Priest Aaron at its 1,396m summit.

It will take two hours to climb there from Qasr Al-Bint, but the road here is not easy, it is better to take a guide. The entire journey, except the last 20 minutes, can be done on horseback.

The tomb itself was restored by the Mamluk Sultan Kal-Aun in the 13th century, and until then the Greek monks lived there Orthodox Church. It is now closed and is still revered as a sacred shrine by Muslims and Christians. The story of Aaron's death is found in the Bible (Numbers 20:23-29).

This excursion lasts a full day; you will need a guide. It is also necessary to stock up on water and food.

You can also take this excursion with your own transport if you arrive in Petra too late to see the main attractions, but still have a couple of hours of daylight left. Little Petra (also known as Siq el Bared)- a good “introduction” to Petra, it’s like a miniature suburb that most tourists don’t visit. The concrete road is signposted from the very beginning of the climb - from Wadi Musa; its length is 10 km to the north. After 2 km the road begins to go uphill; look to the left at the ruined remains of Al-Wuair, the main crusader castle of Petra. It was built in the 12th century, and the Crusaders called it Le Vaux Moise, which means “Valley of Moses.” (in Arabic - "Wadi Moussa").

The concrete surface ends at the iron gate - this is the entrance to Little Petra; The gate is impressive in its compactness - three narrow passages lead into three gorges. Everywhere you can see traces of the Nabataean water supply system and steps that will lead you to the mysterious altars. At the end of the third gorge, the last staircase will lead you to an open terrace and then to the adjacent valley. This unusual connection of all three valleys through flights of stairs and a network of paths will undoubtedly surprise you. Open: during daylight hours. Free admission.

From Qasr Al-Bint, located in Petra, you can make a daring and challenging leap to Umm al-Biarah, a high rock formation that dominates the entire Petra valley. Few tourists dare to do this, and it is better to take a local guide, as the climb is difficult. Just make an agreement with the service boy - he will be only too happy to help you for a small fee.

The return journey to Qasr Al-Bint will take three hours and half an hour to explore the summit.

Part of the way you will climb a stunning stone staircase, the best in Petra, experiencing all the feelings of a participant in a ritual procession: the staircase is zigzag. Higher up it is blocked by fallen rocks, and you will have to climb the rest of the climb on all fours along steep, narrow paths. On the surprisingly wide peak you will find the ruins of an Edomite settlement - the original inhabitants of Petra - dating back to the 7th century. BC e., discovered during excavations in 1960 by British archaeologists - food and water were delivered to them by helicopter. From the westernmost point of the summit there are wonderful views of Wadi Araba and Jebel Haroun - the best volcanic landscape you will ever see.

Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve

This reserve, covering an area of ​​212 km² between the Royal Highway and Dead Sea, provides opportunities for hiking, including the best adventure route in Jordan - a 36-kilometer two-day hike along the river. Mujib. Applications for participation in all hikes must be sent in advance to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (www.rscn.org.jo). Entry into the reserve without prior agreement is prohibited.

The diversity of flora and fauna in these protected areas is amazing. It is home to the rare Syrian wolf, Blanford's fox, Egyptian mongoose, spotted hyena, caracal and many species of snakes, including the venomous desert cobra and viper. There are fenced areas in the reserve for endangered Nubian ibises - several individuals have already been released. Here you can admire the most pristine wadi landscape in Jordan and get unforgettable experience. It is possible - with the prior permission of the administration - to spread camping and live for a few days.

Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve

Short walk around Petra

This walk through the main attractions of Petra is designed for the whole day, if you walk slowly, stopping often to rest. If exercise stress too heavy for you, use a horse-drawn carriage or rent a horse. In this way you can get to the Treasury, and then ride a donkey to Ad-Deir. You will find plenty of young people offering horse-drawn transport services.

The length of the walk is 6 km. Best time it starts at 8.30 am. The return from the last point - Ad Deir - with numerous stops will take 2-3 hours, so you will return to the entrance no later than 6 pm.

Go down from the hotel to tourist center, behind which the ticket office is located; here you need to buy a day ticket, which is presented at the entrance to Petra.

Djinn Blocks and Obelisk Tomb

After an easy 10 minute walk down the hill you will come to three giant rock blocks (left)- these strange hollow multi-story structures served as tombstones. A little further on the left you will see an obelisk carved into the rock - the first example of structures that are found in abundance in the city.

Siq

It is worth walking slowly through this narrow gorge - there is a lot to see. Spend half an hour exploring the aqueduct ruins and colorful rocks.

The exit from the gorge is located opposite the Treasury.

Treasury

This is the most famous of Petra's attractions. The facade of the Treasury makes a stunning impression. If you want to take the best photos, you should come here between 9 and 10 am. Follow the main winding wide path leading to the Theater (left).

Theater

The building is carved into the rock, the colors are stunning and the acoustics are still excellent, as numerous groups of tourists will demonstrate.

Continue along the main path - it ends at the entrance to the Lower City; here you will find several restaurants.

Lower Town

Here you can explore a number of interesting buildings; look out for Qasr Al-Bint. Having examined everything you consider necessary, relax and have lunch at some restaurant.

From the bridge over the wadi, near the Basin restaurant, a narrow rocky path leads to the right and winds up to Ad Deir; the afternoon sun illuminates its façade favorably.

Ad-Deir

This monastery is the second most important attraction in Petra.

Turn back toward the Lower Town and head back past the Theater and Treasury; re-enter the Siq and return to the gate through which you entered the city.

Ad-Deir

Long walk in Petra

The walk covers as many attractions as you can see in a day, especially if you decide to walk the entire Siq. It's a great introduction to Petra, including two long climbs, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The route is designed for a good level of fitness and has fewer rest stops than the short route.

The total length of the walk is about 9 km. The ideal time to leave is no later than 8 am, then you will be back around 6 pm.

Follow the path from the entrance for 700m until you see a small path turning left, past the obelisk but before reaching the dam. It leads up to Al Madras. Its length is 400 m.

Al-Madras

This detour and climb up several flights of stairs carved into the rock is worth making to see the site of ancient cults.

Return to the main path and follow it further towards Siku.

Siq

It takes about 25 minutes to walk slowly through the Siq. During this time you will be able to explore it and enjoy the unique sensation you will experience when the gorge narrows.

Sik will lead you straight to the Treasury.

Treasury

The stunning facade of this building is the most famous thing about Petra. It's worth staying here, remembering that the best light is between 9 and 10 am. 200 m behind the Treasury you will see a sign “to the left”: along worn stone steps you will ascend to the High Altar.

High Place of Sacrifice

The “ceremonial rise” will take approximately 35 minutes. In front of you are two obelisks, above which are located the altar and the altar itself, located on the top of the rock.

Return to the obelisks and go, without turning, along the small path forward, to the left, to the theater. The path will lead you to a staircase leading down to a narrow stone corridor, past a lion fountain, to Wadi Farazah.

Wadi Farazah

Wadi Farasa

At the foot of the stairs you will see the Garden Tombstone with its lovely classical façade. The stairs to his right lead to a huge cistern. Below are several more tombstones carved into the rock. From here you will have to walk 30 minutes under the scorching sun to the north, to the Lower City and interesting building- Qasr Al-Bint.

Lower city

Lower Town

Here you can relax and have lunch in one of the restaurants while enjoying the view of the surrounding area. From the bridge over the wadi behind the Basin restaurant, follow the small rocky path winding up the hill to the right. After about an hour you will come to Petra's second remarkable monument.

Ad Deir

This magnificent façade faces west and is best viewed in the afternoon sun. Those who are not yet tired of the climbs can climb to the right, to the central urn, starting from the rocks on the left side of the facade.

Return along the same road to the Lower City, past the colonnades of the Cardo Maximus, viewing other monumental facades on the way to the Treasury. Return to the gate via the Siq on foot or by horse-drawn transport.

History of Petra

The nomadic Nabataean tribes moved north from northern Arabia to the country designated in the Bible as Edom at the beginning of the 6th century. BC, gradually displacing the indigenous Edomite population. They showed themselves to be a powerful and independent force by the 4th century. BC e. By that time, Petra had become their base. Its appeal was obvious: natural security, a safe water supply, fertile lands favorable for agriculture and cattle breeding, all in addition to its strategically advantageous location at the crossroads of trade routes along which silk and spice caravans traveled to the north and east. The name “Nabateans” comes from the Arabic root “nabat”, meaning “heart”, “center”.

Nabataean gods

They brought with them their pagan cult from the Arabian Peninsula. Their main gods were the god Dushara and the goddess Al-Uzza. She was the goddess of fertility, the patroness of caravans and the embodiment of the morning star, and he, whose name literally translated as “from Sharra,” bore the name of the Sharra Mountains in the region of Petra. In the Old Testament these mountains are called Seir, and one of the names of Jehovah - “He who was revealed in Seir” (Deuteronomy) - suggests the identity of these gods. The Greeks later likened Aushar to Dionysus. Numerous idols of Dushara and Al-Uzza can be found throughout Petra in the form of stone blocks or obelisks.

Nabataean temperament

Contemporaries characterized the Nabataeans as peace-loving and hardworking people. In the classical works of Strabo, a historian of the 1st century. BC e., peaceful, diligent people are described, whose cities are not surrounded by walls. If they were attacked, they preferred tactical rather than military solutions, bribing the aggressors with valuable gifts.

This tactic was successful with the Greeks and Romans, and the Nabateans managed to remain largely independent throughout the region's turbulent history. When the last Nabatean king died in 106, Petra became part of the Roman province of Arabia and became its capital.

Under the Romans and after them

The Romans entered the city and rebuilt it, laying a main street, building a colonnade along it, erecting temples and baths. Since the 2nd century. BC e. Petra's "powers" as a city lying at the intersection of the main caravan routes passed to Roman Palmyra, as the caravan routes changed direction and extended further to the north. Accordingly, wealth stopped flowing here. Christianity reigned here early, as a result of which by the 4th century. n. e. Petra already had its own bishop, and one of the Nabatean tombs was turned into a church.

The population declined over the next few centuries; Until the 12th century, when the crusaders stopped here for a short time, nothing was heard about Peter at all. The Crusaders built two castles here. Until the 19th century the city was forgotten and was perceived by educated Europeans as a mythical city of fabulous wealth, something like Atlantis. It was “discovered” in 1812 by the young Anglo-Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (1784-1817) , who, pretending to be a Muslim, entered the city under the pretext of making a sacrifice to Aaron. And so it happened that Burckhardt became the first European to see the façade of the Treasury after six centuries.

Ancient city Petra. Treasure of Jordan

The ancient city of Petra is rightfully considered the main attraction of Jordan, glorifying this eastern country for the whole Earth, and one of the 7 new wonders of the world!

Maybe someone remembers the old film about Indiana Jones, in which he was looking for the Grail - there was a huge temple carved into the rock =) It turns out that this was not scenery, but such a miracle really exists - in Petra!

The ancient Nabataean city was founded in these rocks about 4 thousand years ago (according to other sources - 2 millennia), back in the era of the Edomites - then a small but well-defended fortress was built in the rocks. Later, these lands came into the possession of the Nabatean kingdom, which was just at that time experiencing its heyday. Petra, which served as the capital of the kingdom, gradually acquired enormous influence and unprecedented popularity. The emergence of a city in such an inaccessible place became possible thanks to the ability of the Nabateans to control the flow of water, because in essence Petra is nothing more than an artificial oasis! Flash floods are common in this area, and the Nabataeans successfully controlled them using dams, cisterns and aqueducts, which allowed them not only to survive long periods of drought, but also to successfully trade water

In addition to the fact that the Nabataeans knew how to skillfully collect water, they also learned how to skillfully process stone. The name “Petra” literally translates as “Rock”, and it is not surprising - after all, the entire ancient city consists entirely of stone!

However, the Nabatean kingdom fell under the onslaught of the Roman emperor Trajan, and then the Roman Empire itself disappeared into oblivion... Since the 16th century AD, only the wind has “walked” here, and then infrequently. This pearl among the rocks was forgotten for more than 2 centuries - until the moment in 1812, the Swiss traveler-adventurer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt decided to find in these lands a lost city, about which there were many legends, but which, despite this, no one never saw. As a result, the Swiss finally found the legendary lost city, carefully protected by sands and rocks!

All the buildings of Petra were built mainly in three periods: under the Edomites (XVIII-II centuries BC), the Nabataeans (II century BC - 106 BC) and the Romans (106-395 AD). .). In the 12th century, the ancient city was ruled by crusading knights Teutonic Order. Monuments built here after the 6th century AD have practically not reached us. Therefore, the appearance of Petra, which is revealed to the eyes of tourists today, is the ancient capital of the Nabataean kingdom

An interesting fact is that the territory of Petra is currently only 15% explored, so it is possible that soon the mysteries of the ancient city may amaze the whole world! Now imagine that this 15% is about 800 (!) different historical sites on the territory of Petra!

Because of this huge amount centuries-old attractions, even tickets here are sold for a three-day period - after all, in a day you can only briefly examine all the famous this moment“treasures” of Petra, but even a month is not enough to get acquainted with all its architectural elements in detail!

Petra makes an impression on all tourists who come here - even the most sophisticated ones, and I think this is connected to a greater extent not so much with the ancient city itself, but with the road that leads to it - after all, the city is “hidden” in the very center of the rock! In order to get to Petra, you need to go down into a deep gorge called “Sik” (“Mine”), formed as a result of a prehistoric shift earth's crust, and it takes quite a long time to walk along a narrow path (in some places only 3-4 meters wide) at its bottom, between steep 80-meter cliffs, on which here and there you can find ancient inscriptions carved in stone and even entire niches carved into limestone for recreation. At some point, it begins to seem that you will have to walk along this gorge forever, but suddenly it ends abruptly and the enormous Treasury of Pharaoh (the Arabic name is El-Khazneh, from which the word “Treasury” later came) opens to your eyes - one of the most famous monuments of ancient Petra, in front of which the ant-people froze in surprise...

Gradually, the state of numbness recedes and is replaced by surprise and disbelief that such a huge thing can be carved into the rock. The purpose of Al-Khazneh, carved into the rock around the 2nd century AD, is still unclear, but many historians and archaeologists believe that it was originally a temple to the goddess Isis

In any case, the Treasury is an example of the greatest skill of ancient architects. After all, even today such a structure would be very difficult to create, not to mention how accurate the calculations must be and how it was hollowed out of stone in the first place, if there is not a single tree for scaffolding around for hundreds of kilometers!

It is also surprising that after thousands of years, the facade of the Treasury turned out to be practically untouched - see for yourself!

Monument to the Pyramids at the entrance to the Siq gorge

Before entering Petra you can purchase detailed map city ​​and decide for yourself whether to wander through the most mysterious nooks and crannies in splendid isolation or hire a guide

Map of the ancient city

The map shows: 1 - Entrance; 2 - Al-Wuheira; 3 - Beginning of the Siq gorge; 4 — “Treasury of the Pharaohs”; 5 - Place of sacrifices; 6 - Theater; 7 – Urn Tomb or “Cathedral”; 8 - Tomb of Sextus Florentinus; 9 — “Nymphaeum”; 10 - Church; 11 – Temple of Winged Lions; 12 - Great Temple; 13 - Temple of Uzza; 14 - Archaeological Museum; 15 - Lion Triclinium (Roman dining room); 16 – El Deir Monastery

The ancient city stretches for several kilometers. From east to west it is laid the main street, decorated on the sides with a colonnade. At its eastern end there is a three-span Triumphal Arch, and on the west there is a large temple

Early necropolis of the Nabateans

One of the main architectural elements of Petra, along with the Treasury, is an ancient theater for 6000 spectators, entirely carved out of the rock and located so that from there one can see the most important tombs, including the “Cathedral”, the Palace Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, the Urn Tomb and Silk Tomb

The theater was built in Petra at the beginning of the 1st century AD, almost at the same time with the majestic bulk of the El Deir monastery carved into the rock at the top of the cliff - a huge building about 50 m wide and more than 45 m high, which, judging by the carvings on the walls crosses, for some time served as a Christian church. It may seem familiar to many - most likely this is due to the fact that one of the scenes of the second Transformers film was filmed here =)

Maybe it’s more recognizable this way)

From the slope next to El Deir you can see Mount Jebel Harun with a white mosque on top - this relatively small and modestly decorated tomb of Aaron, the brother of Moses, was built by the Mamluk Sultan in the 13th century. According to Arab legends, this is exactly the place where Moses hit the stone with his staff and water flowed from it.

To the right of the Theater is the entrance to the “Cathedral”. The inscription indicates that Bishop Jason converted the Doric Tomb into a Eucharistic Hall. The same inscription dates this transformation to 447 AD

Plan of the Church of Papyrus in the western part of the city

1 - Atrium; 2 - Baptistery; 3 - Basilica; 4 - Department; 5 - Altar; 6 - Papyrus's room

View of the church from the altar

In the 90s during excavations. carried out by the American Center for Oriental Research, a vast building was discovered, decorated with beautiful mosaics. A number of administrative records written on papyrus and dating back to the sixth century AD were also discovered. Papyri - part of a private archive including contracts, rentals, exchanges, wills, and various types of agreements. In the photo there is a medallion with an image of Neptune

The floors of the nave and chancel are made of multi-colored marble tiles. Both passages are decorated with mosaics. The mosaic style belongs to the Gaza School, which is very different from the school of the Madaba School, mosaic examples of which were found in previous days. The photo shows the atrium of the church. The basilica was divided into three parts by two rows of columns

The Baptistery is located in a room adjacent to the atrium of the Church

Interior of the Temple of the Winged Lions

A Roman inscription from 114 AD on this monumental gate praises Emperor Trajan. The gate leads to the large courtyard of the Temple of Uzza (Qazr al-Bint)

Inner courtyard of the Great Temple of Petra. The floor is made of hexagonal marble slabs

Panoramic view of Qazr al-Bint and Umm al-Biyara peak. The Temple of Uzza was built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD

Arch in the facade of Qazr al-Bint

The Lion Triclinium got its name from the lions “guarding” the entrance

It is also worth paying attention to the monumental tombstone structure in the Roman style, which received the simple name of the Tombstone Palace. One more interesting place is the Archaeological Museum of Petra, which contains the shadow of the history of the development, formation and decline of these lands. In the photo there are a couple of exhibits from the museum - a fragment of a capital carved in the shape of an elephant found in the Great Temple, and the head of an eagle

And this is one of the reddish rocks with many shades, because of which Petra was often called the “Red City” or “City of Roses”

On December 6, 1985 it was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO - the ancient city was called “one of the most precious elements cultural heritage of humanity,” and on July 7, 2007, Petra was named one of the “Seven New Wonders of the World”

Today I will tell you about the main attraction of Jordan - the ancient city of Petra. It is located in the territory of modern Jordan, at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level and 660 m above the surrounding area, the Arava Valley, in the narrow Siq canyon. The passage to the valley is through gorges located in the north and south, while from the east and west the rocks drop vertically, forming natural walls up to 60 m in height. In 2007, Petra was chosen as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

Petra was located at the crossroads of two important trade routes: one connecting the Red Sea with Damascus, the other connecting the Persian Gulf with Gaza off the coast. Mediterranean Sea. Departing from Persian Gulf caravans loaded with precious spices had to bravely endure the harsh conditions of the Arabian desert for weeks until they reached the coolness of the narrow Siq canyon, leading to the long-awaited Petra. There travelers found food, shelter and cool, life-giving water.

For hundreds of years, trade brought Petra great wealth. But when the Romans discovered sea ​​routes to the East, the land trade in spices came to naught and Petra gradually became empty, lost in the sands. Many buildings of Petra were erected in different eras and under different owners of the city, including the Edomites (18-2 centuries BC), Nabataeans (2nd century BC - 106 AD), Romans (106-395 AD), Byzantines and Arabs. In the 12th century AD. e. it was owned by the crusaders.

The first of the modern Europeans to see and describe Petra was the Swiss Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who was traveling incognito. Next to the ancient theater you can see a building from the Edomite or Nabataean era. Monuments built after the 6th century AD. e. practically not, because in that era the city had already lost its significance.

01. Now Petra is visited annually by about half a million tourists. Admission for a day is approximately 55 euros, for 60 euros you can buy a ticket for 2 days. View of the road to Petra.

02. The gorge begins from here. There is a main road - flat, quite wide, almost all tourists get to Petra along it. But you can turn off and take the unimproved road. To do this, turn right at the post into the tunnel. Walking there is quite difficult, but you can feel yourself in the shoes of the Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who discovered Petra in 1812.

03. a few more videos from above.

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05. This is what the main road looks like. Before entering, they will actively push you to get a horse to get to the city, don’t agree, the road there is very easy. But you can return back by cart. This pleasure costs 20 euros, you cannot bargain, since the tariff is official.

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09. Using terracotta pipes, the architects of Petra created a complex water supply system and despite the arid climate, the city's residents never needed water. There were about 200 reservoirs throughout the city that collected and stored rainwater. In addition to connecting the reservoirs, terracotta pipes collected water from all sources within a radius of 25 kilometers. Annual rainfall in Petra is only about 15 centimeters. To save water, local residents they cut down canals and reservoirs right in the rocks.

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11. As tourists walk along the cool kilometer-long Siq canyon, around the bend they discover the Treasury - a majestic building with a facade carved from a huge rock. It is one of the best preserved structures from the first century.

12. The building is crowned by a huge urn made of stone, in which gold and precious stones were supposedly kept - hence the name “Treasury”. The official name of this structure is El Khazneh. The architects planned the construction of this temple in the former riverbed. For its construction, the river bed was changed, a grandiose project for that time. A tunnel was cut into the rock to divert the flow of water and a series of dams were built.

13. According to the folk etymological version, the word “Treasury” subsequently came from the word “El-Khazneh”. In fact, there is no direct connection between these words. El-Khazneh literally means "storehouse" from khazan - to store, store. The Russian word “treasury” goes back to the same Arabic word, but was directly borrowed in the 12th-14th centuries from the Polovtsian language. Famous cat.

14. A few more photos of local cats, but I don’t like them so much)))

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18. The canyon gradually expands, and tourists find themselves in a natural amphitheater, in the sandstone walls of which there are many caves. But the main thing that catches your eye is the crypts carved into the rocks. The colonnade and amphitheater testify to the presence of the Romans in the city in the first and second centuries.

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20. The name itself is “Petra”, which means “rock”. And Petra, indeed, was a city of stone; there was no such thing in the Roman Empire. The Nabataeans, who built the city, patiently carved houses, crypts and temples from stone blocks. Petra is nestled among red sandstones that lend themselves well to building, and by the first century AD a monumental city had grown up in the heart of the desert.

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30. The final point of the route is the Ed-Deir monastery. To get to it you need to climb the mountain for quite a long time, but you can take a donkey for 5 euros and walk back down.

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38. Ed-Deir, a monastery carved into the rock at the top of a cliff - a huge building about 50 m wide and more than 45 m high. Judging by the crosses carved on the walls, the temple served as a Christian church for some time.

39. Not far from the monastery there are observation decks, here you can admire the view of the valley.

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42. All the viewpoints have been taken over by Bedouins who will extort money from you.

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45. Be prepared for a lot of small extortionists and souvenir sellers. There is nothing special to buy there; prices in Petra are approximately 2 times higher.

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49. Some tourists try to save money and enter the mountain trails without a ticket. For them, guards were posted at the far approaches to check tickets and chase away violators.

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54. And this is what an alternative gorge looks like, along which you can get to Petra. It’s very beautiful, although the walk takes much longer, but it’s worth it.

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58. The entrance to Petra is open from 6 am to 5 pm. Sometimes the city opens at night, you need to buy an additional ticket. The entire road to the Treasury is decorated with paper lanterns.

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60. A small performance takes place in the square near the Treasury itself.

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64. View of Petra from the neighboring mountain.

Not only the wonderful beaches of Aqaba and healing mud Dead Sea Jordan is famous. Petra is its main attraction, and hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to see it. The architects who built this city incomprehensibly hollowed out caves in the rocks, turning dead stone into majestic temples and tombs. But then there were no modern tools, and technology had not reached half of the modern level. However, people, figuratively speaking, with bare hands managed to create masterpieces that have survived centuries.

The Nabataeans - the founders of the fairy-tale city among the rocks

According to legend, the Nabateans are descendants of Shem, the son of the world famous Noah. In the 3rd century BC they formed the state of Nabatea. The most important caravan routes for the economy of those times passed through its lands. Therefore, the territory of the Nabatean kingdom was a tasty morsel for many neighboring states and was often attacked. But the Nabateans not only managed to defend their land from invaders, but also subjugated part of Syria and remained independent during the power of the Roman Empire. The Nabataeans had great hatred for the Jews and not only fought with them endlessly, but even ransomed other captured Jews from them in order to subject them to cruel torture and then kill them. Jordan is now located on the territory of the majestic Nabatea. Petra is the former prosperous capital of a vanished ancient state. Nowadays it is a unique museum created by nature and human genius.

Lost City

The lost cities of fantasy novels seem to be copied from Petra, a city hidden in the rocks. Who knows, humanity would have known anything about this place if in 1812 the orientalist from Sweden Johann Burckhardt, traveling around the Middle East under the name Ibrahim ibn Abdullah, had not come across an unusually beautiful gorge, walked along it and opened it to humanity ancient city of Petra. Jordan carefully protects its shrine, which is included in the list of wonders of the world. Petra - in Greek means "stone, stone." The city received this name because at some point in its history it was associated with ancient Hellas. This is evidenced by numerous elements in the architecture of buildings, colonnades and porticos, reminiscent of parts of ancient Greek temples, but with their own details that are not characteristic of the Hellenes. Burckhardt himself was not looking for the lost city, but was planning to cross the Sahara to the sources of the Niger. This man died on the threshold of his 33rd birthday, having become famous for centuries thanks to his unexpected discovery.

Geographical position

Hot dry climate, the only small area the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea and 90% of the desert plains interspersed with lifeless rocks. This is Jordan. Petra, unique historical heritage and the pride of the country cannot boast of blooming gardens. It amazes the imagination with the harsh beauty of silent rocks, rushing their masses tens of meters into the sky. The city is located at an altitude of 660 meters above the Arava Valley and communicates with the world through the narrow Siq gorge. The Arava is a desert plain where there is almost nothing living. In the old days, travelers accompanying camel caravans crossed the Arava, languishing from the heat and lack of water. For them, majestic Petra was like a life-giving mystical oasis, where they could drink plenty of water and relax. The Nabataeans chose one of the most inaccessible places for their capital. You can only get into the city through a narrow canyon from the south or north. According to legend, it happened because Moses hit the rocks with his staff. According to another legend, the Nabataeans did not allow the Jews whom Moses led through the desert to pass through their city.

Siq Gorge

Both the crossing of the Arava and the advancement through the gorge are included in the program excursion tour, called "Jordan, Petra, attractions." For those who do not want to tire their legs, enterprising Arabs rent horses, camels, donkeys and even small carriages. Entrance to the gorge is paid. If you didn’t have time to inspect everything in one day, you will have to pay again the next day. The price until recently was 20 dinars (approximately 20 euros). However, the money spent is worth the beauty that you will not see anywhere else in the world. The amazing begins with the first steps along the gorge. It is a narrow winding canyon about one kilometer long. Why not even? The Arabs say because he was crooked. The width of this natural masterpiece is not uniform. In some places the gorge is so narrow that a horse-drawn carriage can barely pass, and in others it reaches a width of 3 meters. It’s more interesting to walk along it, falling behind the group and being left alone with the rocks, these eternal guardians of the lost city. Their steep, and in some areas bizarrely overhanging slopes rush upward, almost closing overhead. And only the blue stripe of the sky does not allow us to break the connection with real world. The color of the slopes changes depending on the time of day. It is especially beautiful at dawn and sunset. But even during the day, the multi-colored layers of sandstone that form these monoliths look wonderful.

Al Khazneh

At the exit from the gorge, a wonderful creation of human genius opens to your eyes. This is a mausoleum-temple carved right into the rocks. Petra in Jordan, especially this great building, can delight anyone. Its height is 39 meters and its width is 25. Externally, the facade resembles, however, on the walls there are figures of Amazons, the heads of the Egyptian goddess Isis and the mythological Medusa. Also on the facade you can see figurines of eagles, according to the beliefs of the Nabataeans, carrying away the souls of the dead. That is, several architectural styles were intertwined during construction. El-Khazneh is crowned with an urn, in which, according to legend, the treasures of the pharaohs were placed. That is why the name of the temple arose - “the treasury of the pharaohs.” Inside, the temple consists of three small rooms without any decoration. Just bare walls.

Tombs of Petra

Many researchers are inclined to believe that the pharaohs have nothing to do with El-Khazna, and the building served as the tomb of the rulers of Petra. In front of the temple there is a small round depression with a groove, in which sacrifices may have been made. Blood flowed down the groove. But this detail does not confirm the theory about the tomb 100%. There is nothing inside Al Khazneh that could shed any light on what the structure served. The Nabataeans took this secret with them. What is left to us from the great civilization is the city of Petra. Jordan considers it its main pearl. Even dilapidated by time, the city is grandiose. From Al Khazneh there is a short street of façades leading to other monumental buildings. Some of them were also carved into the rocks, others were built from hewn stone blocks. There are many tombs in the city, but they are all much smaller and more modest than the great Al-Khazneh.

Water supply in the city

The entire Arabian Peninsula is considered a dry region. Jordan is the same. Petra is a city where only 150 mm of precipitation fell per year, which is negligible for the life of 40 thousand inhabitants. However, the Nabataeans built a network of canals and reservoirs in the city, in which all the collected water was stored. Besides, irrigation system The Nabateans made it possible to collect water in the area around the city. The townspeople always had plenty of water. There is an assumption that during rare but heavy rainfalls, streams more than a meter deep could rush through the Siq gorge. To prevent such an amount of water from flooding the city, the Nabataeans built something like a dam that diverted the water flow to the side and prevented the water from rushing into the gorge.

Other attractions in Petra

Not only the unique temple of Al-Khazneh is famous for Petra beautiful coastline in the Gulf of Aqaba and the many surviving buildings of glorious Petra will forever preserve the memory of visiting this great place on Earth. One of them is the Ad-Deir monastery. It is located just above the main city buildings and is also carved into the rock. The façade of the monastery resembles in its appearance the façade of the Al-Khazneh temple. It is slightly larger in size and reaches a height of 45 meters with a width of 50 meters. There are many steps leading up to it. Perhaps this is why it is not visited as often as Al Khazneh. In addition to the monastery, in the stone city the Tombstone Palace, the Temple and the huge arena deserve attention. It was created in the likeness of Greek theaters and served, according to historians, for cultic and religious rites.

Jordan. Petra. Tours, hotels, souvenirs

Jordan is great place for tourism. Many travel agencies can book tours of various durations and destinations. Those who choose to visit Petra can stay in the suburb of Wadi Musa, located from stone city one and a half kilometers away. There are no hotels in Petra itself. It is open to the public only a few hours a day. There is plenty to choose from in Wadi Musa, with hotels to suit different tastes and budgets. In addition, in the suburbs tourists will find numerous restaurants, shops, bars and even night club. In addition to Wadi Musa, you can stay in central city Petra is about a 3 hour drive from there.

Visiting this historical city, every tourist buys souvenirs as a keepsake. They are sold here literally on every corner. Women's jewelry, ceramics, utensils from Arab craftsmen, and small bottles of colored sand are very popular.