PETRA
PETRA
- One of the New Seven Wonders Of The World, the ancient city of Petra is located amidst the rugged desert canyons and mountains of southern Jordan. Dating back to around 400BCE, it is also known as the ‘Rose City’due to its famed red, white and pink rock-carved architecture,
- It is purported to be the place where Musa AS struck a rock and water gushed forth. Later on, the Arab Nabataean tribe, made the site their capital, and during this time Petra flourished becoming an important trade center. The Nabataeans were noted carvers and as such, chiseled their dwellings, temples, and tombs into the surrounding sandstone mountains. In addition, they constructed a water system that allowed for lush gardens and farming.
- As the trade routes shifted, the city began to decline and after an earthquake in 551CE, it was completely abandoned.
- It was only in the 1800’s, when a Swiss traveler disguised as a Bedouin infiltrated the mysterious location, was it rediscovered.
