The city of Petra More than a wonder, located 240 km south of Jordan’s capital Amman and 120 km north of the red sea town of Aqaba, is a world-renowned archaeological site and Jordan’s greatest tourist attraction. It served as the capital of the Nabataean Empire, which prospered from the 1st century BC through trade in frankincense, myrrh, and spices. Despite the exact date of its construction being unknown, Petra’s glory days were during the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, when it was annexed to the Roman Empire.

However, a devastating earthquake in 363 AD, combined with changes in trade routes, led to Petra’s downfall, and it was eventually abandoned. By the 7th century, the city was largely deserted, except for the local Bedouin population.

Petra was “rediscovered” in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johannes Burckhardt, who disguised himself as an Arab and convinced his Bedouin guide to lead him to the lost city. This event put Petra back on the map, and it began attracting visitors from around the world.

The rose-red city, as Petra is known, gets its name from the color of the rock from which many of the city’s structures were carved. The Nabataeans built intricate tombs into the mountainsides to bury their dead, along with temples, a theater, and, following the Roman annexation, a colonnaded street and churches. The city boasts a fascinating blend of natural, cultural, archaeological, and geological features, with human settlement and land use dating back over 10,000 years.

Petra was designated a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1985, and is also listed as one of the 28 places you should visit before you die by the Smithsonian Magazine. Petra’s rich history and stunning beauty make it more than just a wonder; it is a must-visit destination for any traveler seeking to immerse themselves in ancient history and culture.