Petra, Jordan's iconic city carved from red sandstone, has countless tales of a civilization almost 3,000 years old. Petra is situated about 300 km from the capital, Amman. The name Petra is derived from a Greek word called Petros, meaning "stone." It is also known as the "Rose City" because of the reddish-colored sandstone it contains. Its Arabic name is Wadi Musa. After falling into ruins, the city was rediscovered and revived in 1812 by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
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Entering Petra at twilight, I was mesmerized by its serene beauty. After a quick hotel check-in, I ventured out to witness the city under the soft moonlight. Peering through the trees, the full moon of Kojaagari shone above. A walk along the uneven, rocky path mixed with sand had small brown paper bags containing candles, creating a warm, innovative glow along the way. The interplay of moonlight and flickering candles, near darkness, and the sky filled with stars made the walk feel like stepping into a dream. Crowds from all over the world filled the path, which gradually narrowed between two enormous cliffs. This path, formed by an ancient earthquake, is called the Siq.
The Siq was the entrance to Petra and it protected the city. Its narrowness made it treacherous in regards to getting lost for outsiders. Suddenly we were met with the murmurs of many voices as this path opened into a wide space. Visitors sat on carpets, stools, or chairs to rest while others sipped tea or coffee. In front stood the monumental stone façade, Al-Khazneh. Its treasury chamber, or "Khazneh," has inspired imaginations worldwide, from the films of Hollywood to the Tintin comics of Hergé. Rising nearly 40 meters, it once housed a massive stone chest where pirates allegedly hid treasure.
That night’s Light and Sound show narrated the history of Petra beautifully. By day, under the bright sun, another side of Petra emerged, alive, energetic, and full of life. This place was once ruled by the Nabataeans, nomads from the Arabian desert who came from Yemen. For being nomadic, they were literate and very skillful, constructing homes, dams, reservoirs, and ceramic pipelines. Of course, evidence of their ingenuity remains; yet much has been destroyed over time. Further on, domes and carvings on walls reflected their craftsmanship, but many structures lay in ruin. Even with so much lost, the architectural grandeur of Petra endures.
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Travel tips for Petra:
Best months to visit: September–November and March–May.
Spend 2–3 days to see the city properly.
Don't miss the Light and Sound show at Al-Khazneh.
There might be dress codes in place at specific sites.
