{"id":27559,"date":"2021-09-22T10:33:55","date_gmt":"2021-09-22T17:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/?p=27559"},"modified":"2025-04-07T08:16:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T15:16:19","slug":"explore-petra-archaeological-site-jordan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bucketlistjourney.net\/explore-petra-archaeological-site-jordan\/","title":{"rendered":"Visiting Jordan’s Lost City of Petra Ruins (Day & Night)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Take a step back in time and see the wonders of the lost city of Petra Jordan! From the marvelous design of the Petra Treasury to the enchanting Petra at Night tour, Petra is a place worth visiting and should be included on every adventurer\u2019s <\/span>travel bucket list<\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is magical how the city has stood the test of time, being carved from sandstone and all. Now we get to explore the temples and ruins of Petra in all of their glory! Travelers flock to the ancient Treasury (Al Khazneh) building that housed the Holy Grail in the famous flick. Do a Google search for Petra and 90% of the photos will be of this iconic sandstone temple facade, camels lying on the dusty ground before it. But, there is so much more to Petra.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are some things that would help you understand what Petra is and places to visit when planning your trip!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visiting Jordan’s Lost City of Petra Ruins (Day & Night)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Petra Archaeological Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What is Petra Archaeological Site<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Petra is a <\/span>UNESCO<\/span> World Heritage<\/span><\/a> site situated in southern Jordan and is also part of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Due to its stunning architecture and labyrinths, it became a popular tourist spot for those visiting Jordan. There are over 30 incredible sites spread over 60 square kilometers, from temples to tombs to elaborate buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s impressive about Petra is that the whole structure was carved from the mountainside, making use of the region’s natural land formations! Pretty cool, right? The beautiful red sandstone where it was etched from also earned it the name Red Rose City.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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History of Petra<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Nabataeans (nomadic Arabs) originally called it Raqmu or Raq\u0113m\u014d and made it their capital around the second century BC. It became a vital trading point, especially for spice, back in its time due to its location with Europe and Asia<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inside of Petra houses numerous quarters, temples, and tombs. They also created water systems like dams and reservoirs, making it possible to do gardening and farming in the arid region.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The place was later conquered by the Romans at around 63-64 BC. Petra experienced devastating earthquakes during 363 AD and 551 AD. Because of new trading routes and the damage from the earthquakes, the city of Petra fell into ruin. It was later rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Treasury at Petra Archaeological Site (Al Khazneh)<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Treasury or Al-Khazneh represents the beauty of the ancient Nabataean architecture. It is said to be the tomb of the Nabataean King Aretas IV. With its elaborate design and the legends surrounding it, it is no surprise that The Treasury is the face of Petra.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why is it called the Treasury in Petra?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The place was named from the Arabic word Al-Khazneh, which means “The Treasury” in English. There are two famous legends about how it got its name. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is that the Egyptian Pharaoh created Al-Khazneh using magic to store his treasure during his pursuit of Moses and the Israelites. <\/span>The other is that pirates have put their treasure on the urn. Bullet marks can be seen on the stone urn, as some people have tried shooting back in the day in hopes of getting the treasure inside.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where is the Petra Treasury?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Petra Treasury is the one that will greet you after passing the 1-kilometer narrow passageway called the Siq. It is a fitting image of what you can expect from the other sites in Petra.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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How was the Treasury in Petra built?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With the tools used by the Nabataeans before, you might be thinking about how they were able to create such magnificent structures in Petra. With today\u2019s technology, we were able to see a glimpse of how they did it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ancient Nabataeans used giant steps to put their masons safely on the side of the mountain as they carved the buildings out. As for the Treasury, it was said to have taken around 4 years to complete.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s inside the Treasury at Petra?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the temple they used to shoot one of their scenes is, in fact, Al-Khazneh! In the story, the temple was the final resting place of the Holy Grail.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In real life, <\/span>what<\/span><\/i> is inside Al-Khazneh? The answer is… none. There is nothing inside (sorry!). Entry inside The Treasury is forbidden as well, in line with their efforts in preserving the integrity of the ancient structure, as well as the other sites in Petra.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Other Ruins to Visit in Petra<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bab el Siq<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bab el Siq (which means gateway to the Siq) is the main entrance to the ancient city of Petra. This wide valley is already home to several sights. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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These sights include three massive tomb blocks called “Djinn blocks” by the local Bedouins. After that, you’ll also see the Obelisk Tomb, which has four pyramid-shaped pillars on top of it. On the bottom of the tomb is an ancient banqueting hall called the Triclinium, which has some gravesites on both sides.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Siq<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next on your journey is passing through a narrow 1.2-kilometer gorge called the Siq (Arab for “the Shaft\u201d). The long walk is not without its share of sights. Aside from the rose-colored stone walls that surround you along the way, you’ll encounter several sites and sculptures made by the ancient Nabataeans on the stone walls.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the Siq, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of Petra’s most elaborate structure, The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Petra Royal Tombs<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n