The mysterious city of Petra

For centuries the world has been troubled by rumors of a mysterious city in the Middle East. It was said that only the initiated could enter the city and that it was fabulously rich. Hundreds of travelers set out in search of the mysterious city, but failed. Only in 1812 was it possible to reach the city of Petra, which is located in Jordan.

The main attraction of the Jordan is the lost city in the rocks - Petra. In July 2007, Petra was included in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World. To get to the main gate of the city, you must cross the Caño Siq, a winding road, one kilometer long, with a narrow passage between overhanging cliffs. The cliffs almost meet at a height of ninety meters. In the morning hours it is good to hide from the heat here. At the end of the path, the Siq Canyon makes a final bend and a palace emerges from the semi-darkness. The unusual facade is carved into the red sandstone rock. It is a Roman structure. This historical monument is 42 meters high and 30 meters wide. It is believed that the unique caves were carved in the rocks 2000 years before Christ.

Nomadic tribes who lived in the desert and robbed caravans were the first to settle in Petra, but they soon settled in the rock city and ruled in Jordan in the 7th century BC. However, the Roman Empire conquered the land, decorating the caves but ravaging the locals.

The dwellings of the ancient city are carved in the rocks on different levels, with separate streets and terraces. The walls of some canyons are decorated with tombs and crematoriums, in the lowlands and on the heights you can see a palace, a tomb, the tomb of Araone, the monastery of Aideiro, a ruined amphitheater with three thousand seats and many more interesting things.

Until now, no one can say who, when and why built this masterpiece? Modern archaeologists have explored no more than a third of all the constructions in the depths of the cliffs, and there are almost 800 monuments of architecture in Petra.

It is difficult to move around Petra on foot, too long distances, so it is recommended to hire a donkey or a cabbie.