The Lost City of Petra

Trip Start Sep 28, 2005
1
14
103
Trip End Jun 24, 2006


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Jordan  ,
Saturday, October 22, 2005

Miles travelled: 11076

Yesterday, we took an excursion into the desert of Wadi Rum. This is the setting of "Lawrence of Arabia" who massed troops here to win back the land from the Turks in 1916. Then on to Petra, one of the biggest highlights of Jordan.

Today we spent a full day at the "lost city of Petra". The city is carved into the sandstone, and is reached by walking through a narrow canyon. As you walk around the last bend, the facade of the Treasury is right there in front of you. It is an awesome sight. Petra was built in the 3rd century BC by the Nabataeans, who were a major power on the trade routes from Damascus to Arabia. The city has a large number of amazing facades carved directly into the cliffs. The natural sandstone has fantastic colors and patterns, resulting from a variety of mineral deposits. Petra also had a number of engineering feats, including a water pipeline supplying the city and a separate open trough for animals to drink from. The site was then successively conquered by the Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads, Turks, Crusaders, and Mamluks. There are also remains of a mosaic floor from a 4th century church.

Our hotel in Petra was very nice, including a large swimming pool, hot tub, and the option of a Turkish bath with massage, which Anna took advantage of.
Slideshow Print this entry Amman hotels

Comments

steverose5
steverose5 on Dec 4, 2005 at 10:10PM

Indie?
Did you see Indiana Jones hanging around? I hope Nathan had his whip with him to assist in fighting off any attackers...

Add Comment