 |
 |
Why Petra
is special
It is an ancient city of tombs, temples and other monumental
buildings carved into solid sandstone cliffs in arid gorges in
southern Jordan.
The Nabataeans
The cliff buildings of Petra were sculpted by the Nabataeans, an
Arab tribe that flourished from around the 4th century BC to 106
AD, when the Romans took control. They were remarkable engineers
who constructed a sophisticated pipe-and-tunnel water system to
bring in drinking water and keep out flash floods.
Siq
The main Petra entranceway named the Siq is dramatic. It's a
twisting gorge bounded closely on both sides by sheer cliff
walls soaring about 200 meters (600 feet). At one point, the
space between the towering walls narrows to just 5 meters (16
feet). Sometimes, the cliff walls come so close together that
they block your view of the sky.
This tight passageway provided the ancient Nabataeans with a
natural defense for repelling invading enemies.
Unique buildings
The wavy sandstone geological strata give the facades and
interior surfaces of the rock-hewn Petra buildings interesting
layered and whorled patterns - in a range of hues from pale
yellowish white to intense desert rosy red. The Treasury
building with its double-level colonnades is the favorite of
most tourists.
When to visit
Spring and autumn are the best seasons. Summer can be scorching
and winter, blistery cold.
What leading travel books say about Petra
Petra cannot fail to instill a sense of mystery and drama.
Jordan
Rough Guide
Petra is a remote desert stronghold with extraordinary colored
rocks and carved facades.
Jordan
Blue Guides
<<
بازگشت >> |
|
|
|
|
|
|
