Are you thinking about the destination for your next vacation? Well we assure you that Jordan will not disappoint you. This country full of history, culture and heritage has many attractions: the natural spa of the Dead Sea, the rich ecosystem that hides under the Red Sea, the routes in various transport, the dives with dolphins in Aqaba, the mountains of Wadi Rum …
Of course, among all the wonders of Jordan there is one that stands out greatly. We are talking about Petra , which was designated as one of the New Wonders of the World in 2007. It is certainly not surprising, as this rock-cut prodigy hides numerous temples, tombs, theaters and dwellings. If you are going to travel to this spectacular place, do not miss anything that we tell you below, since we are going to tell you about what you should visit. Are you going to miss it?
The Siq
Petra, also known as the Pink City, is a city built on rocks. The architects of this wonder were the Nabataeans, an Arab tribe that settled in this place more than two millennia ago, making it a very important place of passage, since it linked several routes. To get to Petra you have to go through the Siq, a narrow canyon that runs for 1.5 kilometers. Without a doubt, crossing it is a unique experience , since it is surrounded by walls that rise to more than 80 meters high. In addition, you will be surprised by the dazzling colors of its rocks.
The treasure
The next wonder that you will find on your visit to Petra will be the Treasury, a building that surprises with its spectacular facade, called Al-Khazneh. Measuring 30 meters wide and 43 meters high, this construction was carved out of the rocks in the 1st century to be the tomb of a king. Its name is due to a legend that has to do with a series of treasures that a king would have hidden here. In fact, over the centuries many people tried to search for the treasure, eventually shooting the place.
Theater
Another place that will amaze you in Petra will be its theater, which although it was excavated in the rocks by the Nabataeans for about 3,000 spectators, the Romans expanded it, reaching a capacity for more than 8,500 people.
Columns Street
Another place that you should contemplate carefully is the Calle de las Columnas, which was the main artery of the city. At first it was porticoed, although the columns that can be seen today were built by the Romans.
Royal Tombs
We cannot talk about Petra without mentioning the Royal Tombs, a gigantic "cemetery" located to the west, where the sun dies, where you can find the Palace Tomb, the Corinthian Tomb, the Silk Tomb and the Urn Tomb, which It is the most colossal of the entire complex.
Monastery and other places to see in Petra
Finally, we want to tell you about the Ad-Deir Monastery, a temple dedicated to the Nabatean king Obodas I. To get here you have to walk more than an hour and climb 850 steps, but it is worth it, since the monument that can be seen when you arrive to the top is really spectacular, not to mention the great views that are enjoyed along the way. In addition to all the places that we have mentioned, if you go to Petra we recommend a visit to the Altar of Sacrifices, where the Nabataeans sacrificed animals and, probably, people; the Qasr al-Bint, an important temple in the city; the Byzantine Church, located north of the Calle de las Columnas; and the Jinns blocks, 20 square monuments whose function is not clear.