It is undoubtedly the most famous attraction in Jordan: Petra, the legendary rock city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for films such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” However, the world-famous tourist attraction still keeps secrets in the desert sands. Let us take you on a fascinating journey of discovery through this wonder — we at Sojourn know the answers.
But what actually makes Petra so special?
Even the start of the gorge is simply breathtaking. The first steps lead through a narrow, winding gorge called the “Siq” — an Arabic word that means “shaft.” The majestic rock walls rise to an impressive height of almost 100 meters on both sides. At its narrowest point, the gorge is just two meters wide. And then, out of nowhere, the impressive spectacle is revealed before the visitor's eyes: the monumental façade of the “treasure house,” Khazne al-Firaun. This architectural wonder, like the entire city of Petra itself, is known worldwide and is Jordan's biggest tourist attraction. But even in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, numerous mysteries lie dormant, ready to be revealed by curious explorers.
Discovering Petra as a tourist attraction is itself a quirky story. Archaeological excavations only began in the 1920s, after the city 1200 years was considered lost for a long time. Interestingly enough, Petra was discovered in 1812 by a Swiss who disguised himself as an Arab and pretended to be a sheikh. The story of this curious discovery provides a fascinating look at the beginnings of tourist interest in this unique place.
For almost three centuries, up to the year 100 AD, the Nabataeans ruled over this city, cleverly placed at the crossroads of important trade routes, including the legendary “Frankincense Route.” With the help of sophisticated water management systems that sent spring water to Petra, they transformed the rock city into an oasis in the middle of the desert. Their prosperity flourished through trade in precious spices, incense and other exotic goods, for which they could also collect clever tariffs.
The Nabataeans left barely any written records that could provide insights into their everyday life or the story of Petra. Much remains obscure, and it is only through the indirect puzzle of biblical, Greek and Roman sources that we can attempt to unravel the fascinating life of this era — a journey into a past that still holds many secrets.
The majestic wonder, artfully decorated with pillars, stretches up a proud 40 meters: the “treasure house” Khazne al-Firaun, also known as “Al-Khazneh.” Pictures of this world-famous building, which even impressed in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” are known to many people. In fact, the treasure house is a mausoleum — a place where the dead were always buried outside the actual city.
Originally, Al-Khazneh probably served as the final resting place for members of the royal Nabataean family. During archaeological excavations, a burial chamber with human skeletons and ornate pottery was discovered. Only the Bedouins who settled down later gave this place the magnificent nickname “Treasure House”. But where there is light, there is also shadow, as the next point 4 shows.
The magnificent façade of the world-famous “treasure house” still contains traces of past adventures: several bullet holes bear witness to a fascinating legend that gave the building its glamorous reputation. According to this rumor, pure gold was supposedly hidden behind the rock — an irresistible temptation. The claim of fabulous treasures also attracted fortune seekers, who apparently tried to gain access with firearms. These bullet holes are silent witnesses of this unique chapter in history to this day.
Supposedly derived from Greek, “Petra” simply means “rock” or “stone” according to travel guides. But the Nabataeans, who once ruled over this legendary city, still keep the true name Petra a mystery today. Flavius Josephus refers to “Reqem” or “Rekem,” translated as “the red one” or “the colorful,” possibly a colorful reference to the sandstone. Aramaic sources in turn link the name to Kadesh, while stone inscriptions, such as those of “Rekem”, were swallowed up by the cement of a modern bridge. The Old Testament whispers of “Sela,” which means “rock” or “stone” — possibly Petra's hidden identity. Dive with us into the mysterious world of naming, steeped in uncertainties, legends and lost inscriptions.
In the majestic ruins of Petra, travelers meet cheerful pilgrims, curious nuns and enthusiastic Bible explorers from all over the world. In the shadow of the red rocks, they tell living legends that weave through the entire area: The “Moses Valley”, translated from Wadi Musa, contains stories of Moses and the Israelites who stopped here on their exodus from Egypt. The “source of Moses” in front of Peter's gates is revered as the place where Moses struck a rock with his staff, from which living water sprang (Exodus 20:10). The final resting place of Prophet Aaron, Moses' brother, is said to be in Petra at “Jabal Harun” (“Mount Aaron”), crowned by a Byzantine church and an Islamic shrine that is still revered today.
Petra also keeps the traces of the Magi, who, according to biblical tradition, traveled to Bethlehem with incense, gold and myrrh. The King Aretas named in the Bible (2 Corinthians 11:32) is revered as the former ruler of Petra, and the city serves as an important resting place on their legendary journey.
In the silence, about eight kilometers from Wadi Musa, lies a fascinating gem: El-Barida, also known as “Little Petra” or “Little Petra” — the charming little sister of the world-famous rock town. Once a busy caravan rest area, Little Petra now reveals her own charm with a siq and impressive rock reliefs that are in no way inferior to the majestic big sister. Among the lesser-known treasures, however, Klein-Petra hides a precious secret: an amazingly preserved ceiling fresco from the 1st century, which tells a forgotten story with flowers, birds and vines and captivates curious explorers.
Petra not only has historical significance, but also an impressive presence in the film world. The majestic rock town has served as a breathtaking backdrop for several films, making its beauty known worldwide.
These films have helped introduce Petra to a global audience and perpetuate her unique beauty on screen. Petra's magical appeal extends not only to history lovers but also to movie enthusiasts all over the world.
In 106 AD, the once flourishing trading city finally fell into the hands of the Romans, who ruled it until around 330 AD. After their departure, the Byzantines took to the stage of history, and to this day, the remains of Roman temples and Byzantine churches bear witness to the changing rulers who left their mark on the majestic ruins of Petra.
But why did the former trading stronghold finally come to a tragic end? Experts offer several explanatory approaches. On the one hand, Petra could have lost importance as the ancient trade routes shifted over time and new trade centers such as Basra and Palmyra became stronger. On the other hand, a particularly devastating earthquake shook the region in the eighth century; the associated destruction may have forced the inhabitants to leave Petra for good. The Muslim conquest of the region in the mid-seventh century may also have played a decisive role in its decline.”
There are still numerous mysteries lurking in Petra's hidden corners, of which the so-called columbarium and the enigmatic snake images on the way to Aaron Mountain are just the tip of the iceberg, as revealed by Osama Otoum, a German-speaking tour guide in Jordan. The fascination for this ancient site is reinforced by the fact that only a fraction, estimated 20 percent, the legendary rock town has been uncovered so far. Archaeologists may believe that they have discovered all the large rock facades, but who can say with certainty which treasures the desert sands still protect?
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