Jordan ancient temple in the rock. History of the city of Petra in Jordan

On the hottest days, such as Fridays or holidays, Petra receives up to 3,000 visitors. On a normal day - 1500 people. If there are less than 1000 tourists, the day is considered quiet. So try not to come on a Friday or a weekend if you don't like crowds. However, it must be said that the city is so large that you will always find a less crowded place.

How long to spend here

The village of Wadi Musa, which serves Petra, has no more than 1,200 beds, so many come on a day trip from Aqaba or Amman. For a thorough inspection, it makes sense to spend at least two nights in the city, or even better, three, in order to devote two days entirely to exploring the city.

How to get there

Petra is located 260 km from Amman, the trip there takes 3.5 hours along the Desert Highway and 6 hours along the Royal Highway. Daytime excursions by JETT bus depart at 6.00 (in winter at 6.30) and return at 15.30 (in winter at 15.00). The ticket price includes lunch in Petra; entrance ticket is paid separately.

Admission ticket

Please note that admission prices have skyrocketed to astronomical heights: in February 2007, a one-day ticket cost 21 dinars, a two-day ticket cost 26 dinars, and a three-day ticket cost 31 dinars. Children under 15 years old are admitted free of charge. In the late 1980s, the entrance ticket cost only 1 dinar. Entry by horse will cost you an additional 7 dinars, and by car - 20 dinars.

Preparing for your visit

First of all, you need to be in good physical shape to be able to explore everything the city has to offer: there will be a lot of walking, climbing up uneven paths and uncomfortable surfaces. Also, shoes are very important. It should be comfortable and able to withstand prolonged contact with an untreated surface.

The next equally important thing is sun protection. Wear loose, loose clothing, a hat, and sunscreen. You will also need water. Bring a small bottle with you to avoid dehydration. From food - something small and non-melting, like nuts or cereal.

Service

Today there is no shortage of refreshment stalls in the city; there are several good restaurants concentrated in the Qasr Al Bint area, an hour's walk from the entrance. However, the prices are quite high, so you may prefer to bring something that is not too heavy. There are few toilets here, and they are all located in restaurants.

Photography

Don't forget to take your camera with you, because Petra is one of the most photogenic places in the world. When shooting, it is important to take into account the angle of incidence of the sun's rays. The sun illuminates the facade of the Treasury from 9.00 to 10.00 in winter and from 8.30 to 9.30 in summer. As for the second monumental facade, Ad Deir, the sun does not hit it until 14.00.

Petra: from the Siku entrance

Bab al-Siq (Gateway to Siq)

Once through the entrance gate, you will be walking through a wide, open valley for the first 15-20 minutes. The first sights you will see here are the tombstones of the genies. (genies are characters of Arabic folklore, similar to our ghosts or spirits). This is a group of three free-standing stone cubes to the right of the road. These are believed to be tombstones. The largest block is deeply carved with a "crow's footprint" design, a common Nabatean design and a signature of Petra.

Continuing along the main path, you will come to an obelisk carved into the rock on your left. It dates back to the 1st century. n. BC, the period of the last Nabatean kings, and shows traces of a wide variety of influences - Egyptian in the obelisks resembling pyramids, and classical in the columns, pediments and niches for statues. In fact, these are two tombs one on top of the other: the upper one with four obelisks and the lower one in the shape of a triclinium with benches carved into the rock on three sides.

Sik

After the trail makes its final bend to the right along the valley, you come directly to the Siq, climbing up a small slope of the dam and then descending to the level of the gorge. This dam was built to mark and secure the entrance to the Siq after a group of tourists drowned in a flood in 1963.

During the time of the Nabateans, the Siq was paved with limestone along its entire length - only fragments of this “pavement” remain today. At its narrowest point, the Siq is only 2 meters wide, which makes the 100-meter cliffs rising on both sides look even more impressive. The colors of the rocks here are mostly red-brown; time, wind and rain have eroded them and given them bizarre shapes. In many places you can see fragments of stone stairs leading to abandoned sanctuaries hidden in the rocks.

Water supply systems

While constructing a dam at the entrance to the Siq, the builders discovered traces of an ancient Nabatean dam and water canals; they managed to some extent to “rely” on these structures when constructing new ones. Apparently, the Nabataeans also wanted to use the Siq as a year-round entrance to the city, which required protecting it from winter floods. They also invented a workable water supply system: water flowed through canals carved into the rocks on either side of the Siq - these canals can still be seen today, particularly on the left, at human height. And on the right there are several ceramic pipes preserved.

Peter: from the treasury to the high altar

Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

The walk along the Siq takes almost half an hour, but it usually feels longer due to the many twists and turns of the path and because you will rarely see more than 20m of path in front of you. All the better will you remember the moment when the brightly lit façade of the Treasury at the end of a dark gorge suddenly appears before you.

The Bedouins call the Treasury "Al-Jerra" ("Urn")- a 4-meter urn rises above its portico. Local belief says that this urn contains the treasures of the pharaohs. The urn is the least preserved detail of the façade; it is dotted with traces of rifle shots - barbaric attempts to destroy it and extract treasures.

In fact, like the entire monument, the urn is carved into the rock. The hidden location of the Treasury allowed other architectural elements of the facade to be preserved - decorative friezes and statues.

The original purpose of the building and the date of its construction remained a mystery for a long time. Some scientists attributed it to the 1st century. BC e., others - to the 1st-2nd centuries. n. e. However, modern scholars are inclined to believe that it was erected during the reign of Aretas IV, who died in 40 AD. e. It is believed that this was the sanctuary of Tyche (Isis), the goddess depicted in the center of the pediment with a cornucopia in her hands. According to another version, this is the tombstone of the king.

Most scholars are convinced that foreign workers and architects took part in the construction of the Treasury - otherwise it is impossible to explain the combination of such diverse elements in Nabataean design. The columns and capitals are Corinthian, the huge obelisks are Egyptian, and the statue of Tyche (Isis) clearly bears traces of Alexandrian influence (Petra actively traded with Alexandria). On the facade of the building you can see figures of winged sphinxes, a lion, a panther, snakes and dancing Amazons. In contrast, the interior is very simple, not to say ascetic.

200 m from the Treasury you will see a sign, following which you will come to this amazing monument. The steep climb up the steps carved into the rock and through the corridor will take about 35 minutes; an impressive transition into another world - full of silence and removed from Petra's heart. It’s as if you are participating in a ritual procession - and indeed, the priests once walked along the same path, leading the procession to the place of sacrifice. Two 7-meter high obelisks mark the entrance to this sanctuary, located behind the ruined fortress. At the top of the sandstone mountain is an altar; Steps lead to it, and gutters extend from it to drain the blood of sacrificial animals.

Nothing specific is known about the ceremonies held here, but the view from the altar is stunning - you can even see Aaron's tiny tomb on Mount Jebel Haroun (Mount Aaron), revered by Muslims and visited by Christian pilgrims.

Petra: from the theater to Ad-Deir

Theater

There is a theater 300 m to the left of the Siq. Despite the fact that the building has been badly damaged by erosion, it is still impressive in its size and surprises with the scale of work that was required to carve 40 rows of seats into the rock. Like the Treasury, it was erected during the time of Aretas IV (1st century AD). It was later rebuilt by the Romans, who captured Petra in 106, but all the work of the masons went down the drain due to the terrible earthquake of 363. The theater could accommodate about 8,000 spectators.

Qasr Al-Bint (Palace of the Virgin)

This temple, dominating the Lower City, is the most important Nabatean temple of Petra. It was built in the 1st century. BC e. The "Virgin" to whom it is dedicated was supposedly the daughter of the pharaoh who lived in the temple but suffered from a lack of water. She announced that she would marry the man who would provide the palace with water supply. Probably, such a craftsman was found, because during excavations, channels and a drainage carved into the stone were discovered at the foot of the palace.

The impressive facade is made of sandstone blocks; its height in some places reaches 25 m. In the center of the temple is the sanctum sanctorum, where a statue of the deity used to stand. Busts of people standing in niches were destroyed in the heat of the fight against paganism. During the time of the Romans, the temple fell into disrepair; in the Byzantine period and the Middle Ages there were living quarters and stables here.

Ad-Deir (Monastery)

The climb to Ad Deir is for many the most memorable part of the walk in Petra. There are magnificent panoramic views all around. For two and a half hours, you make a circular procession from Qasr Al Binta past the Tomb of the Lion Triclinium, a rock-cut sanctuary (Qattar al-Deir) and the early Christian Hermitage.

Suddenly you find yourself on the edge of a huge open sand terrace, and to your right rises the colossal rock facade of Ad Deir, the sight of which makes you feel like a pygmy. Its height is 45 m, width - 50 m. This is the largest monument in Petra. The height of the urn at the top of the facade is 10 m. The name "Monastery" comes from the many crosses carved on the rear wall, suggesting that this structure was used by the first Christians in the 4th century, attracted by its secluded location.

Originally it was most likely a Nabataean temple, but some scholars are inclined to consider it the unfinished tomb of one of the Nabataean kings (the fact that the tomb was not completed is evidenced by the absence of any statues or other decorations in the niches). Like the Treasury, this building dates from the 1st century. n. e. It follows the same style, although the stone used for Ad-Deir is yellower and its lines are bolder and more imposing. Conquerors of the peaks will not be able to deny themselves the pleasure of climbing to the urn along the dilapidated steps to the left of the facade.

Tombs of Petra

In the vicinity of Petra, about 107 tombs with benches inside were discovered, and scientists suggest that some of them were used not only for specific, but also for utilitarian purposes - they ate and even slept there.

Hidden corners of Petra

Despite the fact that Petra is visited by 1,500 tourists every day, its 200 km² territory has many corners where you are guaranteed privacy. Below we will talk about some of them.

Al Madras

If you arrive in Petra late in the evening and have a few hours of daylight left, this excursion to the Al Madras Sanctuary is an ideal and unconventional choice.

Buy a two-day entry ticket to be able to enter the city the next morning. The path to Al Madras goes to the left before reaching the Siq - where the main road goes to the right. There is a sign here, and the trail begins just beyond it, skirts a low stone wall, and slants southwest toward a group of rocky cliffs. Walking through the woods and then past the stone pyramids, you will come to a staircase carved into the stone, broken but wide. In 10 minutes you will climb several flights of stairs and come to a grassy sanctuary with stone tombs, cisterns, niches and stairs leading even higher to two pools and an altar, or “high place” as it is called in Petra. There are magnificent views from all sides, especially at sunset.

Jebel Haroun and Sabra

Sabra is a free-standing Nabatean suburb of Petra and even has its own theater. You can get here in two hours from Qasr Al-Bint, located in Petra, on foot or by horse. The scenery along the way is beautiful - you'll pass several wadis and mountain peaks, including Jebel Haroun with its white sanctuary and the tomb of the High Priest Aaron at its 1,396m summit.

It will take two hours to climb there from Qasr Al-Bint, but the road here is not easy, it is better to take a guide. The entire journey, except the last 20 minutes, can be done on horseback.

The tomb itself was restored by the Mamluk Sultan Kal-Aun in the 13th century, and until then monks of the Greek Orthodox Church lived there. It is now closed and is still revered as a sacred shrine by Muslims and Christians. The story of Aaron's death is found in the Bible (Numbers 20:23-29).

This excursion lasts a full day; you will need a guide. It is also necessary to stock up on water and food.

You can also take this excursion with your own transport if you arrive in Petra too late to see the main attractions, but still have a couple of hours of daylight left. Little Petra (also known as Siq el Bared)- a good “introduction” to Petra, it’s like a miniature suburb that most tourists don’t visit. The concrete road is signposted from the very beginning of the climb - from Wadi Musa; its length is 10 km to the north. After 2 km the road begins to go uphill; look to the left at the ruined remains of Al-Wuair, the main crusader castle of Petra. It was built in the 12th century, and the Crusaders called it Le Vaux Moise, which means “Valley of Moses.” (in Arabic - "Wadi Moussa").

The concrete surface ends at the iron gate - this is the entrance to Little Petra; The gate is impressive in its compactness - three narrow passages lead into three gorges. Everywhere you can see traces of the Nabataean water supply system and steps that will lead you to the mysterious altars. At the end of the third gorge, the last staircase will lead you to an open terrace and then to the adjacent valley. This unusual connection of all three valleys through flights of stairs and a network of paths will undoubtedly surprise you. Open: during daylight hours. Free admission.

From Qasr Al-Bint, located in Petra, you can make a daring and challenging leap to Umm al-Biarah, a high rock formation that dominates the entire Petra valley. Few tourists dare to do this, and it is better to take a local guide, as the climb is difficult. Just make an agreement with the service boy - he will be only too happy to help you for a small fee.

The return journey to Qasr Al-Bint will take three hours and half an hour to explore the summit.

Part of the way you will climb a stunning stone staircase, the best in Petra, experiencing all the feelings of a participant in a ritual procession: the staircase is zigzag. Higher up it is blocked by fallen rocks, and you will have to climb the rest of the climb on all fours along steep, narrow paths. On the surprisingly wide peak you will find the ruins of an Edomite settlement - the original inhabitants of Petra - dating back to the 7th century. BC BC, discovered during excavations in 1960 by British archaeologists - food and water were delivered to them by helicopter. From the westernmost point of the summit there are wonderful views of Wadi Araba and Jebel Haroun - the best volcanic landscape you will ever see.

Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve

Spanning 212 km² between the Royal Highway and the Dead Sea, this reserve offers hiking opportunities, including the best adventure route in Jordan, a 36 km two-day trek along the river. Mujib. Applications for participation in all hikes must be sent in advance to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (www.rscn.org.jo). Entry into the reserve without prior agreement is prohibited.

The diversity of flora and fauna in these protected areas is amazing. It is home to the rare Syrian wolf, Blanford's fox, Egyptian mongoose, spotted hyena, caracal and many species of snakes, including the venomous desert cobra and viper. There are fenced areas in the reserve for endangered Nubian ibises - several individuals have already been released. Here you can admire the most pristine wadi landscape in Jordan and have an unforgettable experience. You can, with prior permission from the administration, set up a tent camp and live for several days.

A short walk around Petra

This walk through the main attractions of Petra is designed for the whole day, if you walk slowly, stopping often to rest. If the physical activity is too strenuous for you, take a horse-drawn carriage or rent a horse. In this way you can get to the Treasury, and then ride a donkey to Ad-Deir. You will find plenty of young people offering horse-drawn transport services.

The length of the walk is 6 km. The best time to start it is 8.30 am. The return from the last point - Ad Deir - with numerous stops will take 2-3 hours, so you will return to the entrance no later than 6 pm.

Walk down from the hotel to the visitor center, behind which is the ticket office; here you need to buy a day ticket, which is presented at the entrance to Petra.

Djinn Blocks and Obelisk Tomb

After an easy 10 minute walk down the hill you will come to three giant rock blocks (left)- these strange hollow multi-story structures served as tombstones. A little further on the left you will see an obelisk carved into the rock - the first example of structures that are found in abundance in the city.

Siq

It is worth walking slowly through this narrow gorge - there is a lot to see. Spend half an hour exploring the aqueduct ruins and colorful rocks.

The exit from the gorge is located opposite the Treasury.

Treasury

This is the most famous of Petra's attractions. The facade of the Treasury makes a stunning impression. If you want to take the best photos, you should come here between 9 and 10 am. Follow the main winding wide path leading to the Theater (left).

Theater

The building is carved into the rock, the colors are stunning and the acoustics are still excellent, as numerous groups of tourists will demonstrate.

Continue along the main path - it ends at the entrance to the Lower City; here you will find several restaurants.

Lower Town

Here you can explore a number of interesting buildings; look out for Qasr Al-Bint. Having examined everything you consider necessary, relax and have lunch at some restaurant.

From the bridge over the wadi, near the Basin restaurant, a narrow rocky path leads to the right and winds up to Ad Deir; the afternoon sun illuminates its façade favorably.

Ad-Deir

This monastery is the second most important attraction in Petra.

Turn back towards the Lower Town and return past the Theater and Treasury; re-enter the Siq and return to the gate through which you entered the city.

Long walk in Petra

The walk covers as many attractions as you can possibly see in a day, especially if you decide to walk the entire Siq. It's a great introduction to Petra, including two long climbs, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The route is designed for a good level of fitness and has fewer rest stops than the short route.

The total length of the walk is about 9 km. The ideal time to leave is no later than 8 am, then you will be back around 6 pm.

Follow the path from the entrance for 700m until you see a small path turning left, past the obelisk but before reaching the dam. It leads up to Al Madras. Its length is 400 m.

Al-Madras

This detour and climb up several flights of stairs carved into the rock is worth making to see the site of ancient cults.

Return to the main path and follow it further towards Siku.

Siq

It takes about 25 minutes to walk slowly through the Siq. During this time you will be able to explore it and enjoy the unique sensation you will experience when the gorge narrows.

Sik will lead you straight to the Treasury.

Treasury

The stunning facade of this building is the most famous thing about Petra. It's worth staying here, remembering that the best light is between 9 and 10 am. 200 m behind the Treasury you will see a sign “to the left”: along worn stone steps you will ascend to the High Altar.

High Place of Sacrifice

The “ceremonial rise” will take approximately 35 minutes. In front of you are two obelisks, above which there is an altar and an altar itself, located on the top of a rock.

Return to the obelisks and go, without turning, along the small path forward, to the left, to the theater. The path will lead you to a staircase leading down to a narrow stone corridor, past a lion fountain, to Wadi Farazah.

Wadi Farasa

At the foot of the stairs you will see the Garden Tombstone with its lovely classical façade. The stairs to his right lead to a huge cistern. Below are several more tombstones carved into the rock. From here you will have to walk 30 minutes under the scorching sun to the north, to the Lower City and the most interesting building - Qasr Al-Bint.

Lower Town

Here you can relax and have lunch in one of the restaurants while enjoying the view of the surrounding area. From the bridge over the wadi behind the Basin restaurant, follow the small rocky path winding up the hill to the right. After about an hour you will come to Petra's second remarkable monument.

Ad Deir

This magnificent façade faces west and is best viewed in the afternoon sun. Those who are not yet tired of climbing can climb to the right, to the central urn, starting from the rocks on the left side of the facade.

Return along the same road to the Lower City, past the colonnades of the Cardo Maximus, viewing other monumental facades on the way to the Treasury. Return to the gate via the Siq on foot or by horse-drawn transport.

History of Petra

The nomadic Nabatean tribes moved north from northern Arabia to the country designated in the Bible as Edom at the beginning of the 6th century. BC, gradually displacing the indigenous Edomite population. They showed themselves to be a powerful and independent force by the 4th century. BC e. By that time, Petra had become their base. Its appeal was obvious: natural security, a safe water supply, fertile lands favorable for agriculture and cattle breeding, all in addition to its strategically advantageous location at the crossroads of trade routes along which silk and spice caravans traveled to the north and east. The name “Nabateans” comes from the Arabic root “nabat”, meaning “heart”, “center”.

Nabatean gods

They brought with them their pagan cult from the Arabian Peninsula. Their main gods were the god Dushara and the goddess Al-Uzza. She was the goddess of fertility, the patroness of caravans and the embodiment of the morning star, and he, whose name literally translated as “from Sharra,” was named after the Sharra Mountains in the Petra region. In the Old Testament these mountains are called Seir, and one of the names of Jehovah - “He who was revealed in Seir” (Deuteronomy) - suggests the identity of these gods. The Greeks later likened Aushar to Dionysus. Numerous idols of Dushara and Al-Uzza can be found throughout Petra in the form of stone blocks or obelisks.

Nabataean temperament

Contemporaries characterized the Nabataeans as peace-loving and hardworking people. In the classical works of Strabo, a historian of the 1st century. BC e., peaceful, diligent people are described, whose cities are not surrounded by walls. If they were attacked, they preferred tactical rather than military solutions, bribing the aggressors with valuable gifts.

This tactic was successful with the Greeks and Romans, and the Nabataeans managed to remain largely independent throughout the region's turbulent history. When the last Nabatean king died in 106, Petra became part of the Roman province of Arabia and became its capital.

Under the Romans and after them

The Romans entered the city and rebuilt it, laying a main street, building a colonnade along it, erecting temples and baths. Since the 2nd century. BC e. Petra's "powers" as a city lying at the intersection of the main caravan routes passed to Roman Palmyra, as the caravan routes changed direction and extended further to the north. Accordingly, wealth stopped flowing here. Christianity reigned here early, as a result of which by the 4th century. n. e. Petra already had its own bishop, and one of the Nabatean tombs was turned into a church.

The population declined over the next few centuries; Until the 12th century, when the crusaders stopped here for a short time, nothing was heard about Peter at all. The Crusaders built two castles here. Until the 19th century the city was forgotten and was perceived by educated Europeans as a mythical city of fabulous wealth, something like Atlantis. It was “discovered” in 1812 by the young Anglo-Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (1784-1817) , who, pretending to be a Muslim, entered the city under the pretext of making a sacrifice to Aaron. And so it happened that Burckhardt became the first European to see the façade of the Treasury after six centuries.

A unique rock city, the main attraction. This “pink” city is so popular that hundreds of thousands of tourists visit it every year. They say about him: “He is as old as time itself.” Petra is included in the version of our website.

The fact of the antiquity of this unusual city is indicated by the mention of it in the Bible. The first settlement in the city dates back to the existence of the state of Idumea, which was approximately 2-4 thousand years ago. Later, the Nabatean kingdom was formed on this territory, of which Petra was the capital.

The uniqueness of Petra lies in the fact that it is located at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level in a narrow canyon. This inaccessible location was chosen by the Nabatean Arab nomads for protection purposes. And even the famous Roman commanders could not get there through the narrow gorge. The original name of the city was Sela, which meant “stone” in the local dialect. Later the Greeks renamed it in their own way, maintaining the meaning.

From the 1st century AD Petra nevertheless became part of the Roman Empire. Local craftsmen erected buildings of incredible beauty right in the red sandstone rock. In order to escape from drought and properly use rainfall, they built dams, cisterns and aqueducts.

Due to what happened in the 4th century AD. After the earthquake, the city was left desolate, with only a few nomads remaining. And starting from the 6th century, Petra was completely abandoned until 1812, when it was discovered by the Swiss traveler I. L. Burckhardt. He had long wanted to find a city lost in the rocks in the Middle East. Pretending to be a merchant, he was able to find out from the Bedouins where the Nabataean ruins were located.

In fact, all the buildings of Petra belong to 3 periods: Idumean, Nabataean and Roman. What was built after the 6th century has practically not reached us. According to some sources, in the 12th century, knights of the Teutonic Order took refuge in Petra. It is interesting that this mysterious city has not been fully explored. In modern times, Petra has more than once become the location for the filming of famous films.

Sites available to tourists include the Siq Gorge, the Pharaoh's Treasury, 80-meter cliffs with ancient inscriptions and carved limestone niches for statues. One of the city's most popular attractions is Al Khazneh (Treasury of the Pharaohs). This is a huge mausoleum temple, supposedly built in the 2nd century AD.

Another outstanding building is the Ed-Deir Monastery. Crosses are carved in places on its wide walls, indicating that it once housed a Christian church. No less interesting are two Roman buildings - the Palace and Urn tombs. The city has hundreds of rock chambers, the facades of which can convey the history of this ancient area.

Petra can be reached by sightseeing buses or taxis in 3 hours from and 1 hour 50 minutes from Aqaba. The chance to visit the rock city also comes to those who are on vacation in Egypt or Israel. From Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh, day excursions to the attraction are regularly organized.

Photo attraction: Ancient city of Petra

Amphitheater

Ancient city of Petra- the capital of Idumea (Edom), later the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, perhaps the main attraction of Jordan.

Ancient city of Petra in Jordan

Petra is located at an elevation of about 900 meters above sea level and 660 meters above the Arava valley that surrounds the city. You can get into the valley through gorges located in the south and north, but in the east and west the rocks drop steeply and create impregnable walls up to 60 meters in height.

Today in Petra there are ancient temples, palaces, an ancient theater, tombs and other buildings carved in stone and preserved to varying degrees. These buildings were erected by different owners of the city and at different times, while the city passed from hand to hand from the Edomites to the Nabataeans, from the Romans to the Byzantines and, finally, to the Arabs. For some time, even the crusaders owned it. Therefore, next to the ancient theater there is a building erected by the Edomites or Nabataeans. A walk around Petra will take a lot of time; there are about 800 interesting objects here. At the same time, scientists believe that only 15% of the territory of Petra has been studied, and the rest is fraught with many secrets and mysteries.

History of Petra

Its history began more than 4000 years ago. In the 4th-3rd centuries BC, the route of the “road of incense” lay here, and therefore caravans temporarily lived in this place, waiting out bad weather and dust storms. Later, Nabatean Arab nomads settled here. They built their capital in the rocks. Then, when the state of Edom was formed, a village with the name Sela, which means stone, also appeared here. Later, the Greeks translated the “stone” into “Petra”, which gave the modern name to this city.

From the 1st century AD, the Nabataeans voluntarily joined the Roman Empire, which gave impetus to the development of the city and the development of the city. The earthquake of 363 severely damaged Petra and the inhabitants left this city, and the nomads again became its inhabitants. In the 12th century, Petra was ruled by the Crusaders.

The forgotten city of Petra was found in 1812 by the traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who learned from the Bedouins about the existence of the city. Later, accompanied by guides, he reached the ruins of Petra in Jordan.

Al Khazneh- the famous rock temple in Petra. Built in the 1st century AD, it is a building carved into the rock. The exact purpose of the temple in the rock is unknown; it is assumed that the tomb of one of the kings was located here.

Sights of Petra

The main objects and attractions of Petra include:

• Canyon Siq
• Ancient settlement of Al-Beidha
• Al-Khazneh Temple
• Petra Amphitheater
• Ed-Deir
• Temple of the Winged Lions
• Dushara Temple or Palace of the Pharaoh's Daughter
• Supreme Place of Sacrifice
• Byzantine church
• Architectural complex Djin Blocks
• Silk Tomb
• Palace Tomb
• Aneisho Tomb
• Corinthian tomb

And much more. This is not a complete list of Petra attractions.

Movies that were filmed in Petra

Films such as:

• "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger" (1977, directed by Sam Wanamaker),
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, directed by Steven Spielberg)
• Mortal Kombat 2: Annihilation (1997, directed by John Leonetti)
• “Passion in the Desert” (1998, directed by Lavinia Currier),
• "Arabian Nights" (2000, directed by Steve Barron),
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009, directed by Michael Bay).
• “Living Life” (Brazil, 2009, director Jaime Montjardin).

Excursions to Petra

You can get to Petra either independently or with an organized excursion. You can get to Petra from the capital of Jordan, Amman, by bus. The closest way to Petra is from Aqaba in Jordan, Eilat in Israel or Taba in Egypt. It is worth remembering that Petra is one of the most expensive attractions in the world to visit. The cost of the excursion can reach $200-300.

Inside Petra you can travel, for an additional fee, by horse-drawn or camel-drawn cart.

Story

Petra was located at the crossroads of two important trade routes: one connecting the Red Sea with Damascus, the other connecting the Persian Gulf with Gaza off the Mediterranean coast. Caravans departing from the Persian Gulf, loaded with precious spices, had to courageously endure the harsh conditions of the Arabian Desert for weeks until they reached the coolness of the narrow Siq canyon, leading to the long-awaited Petra. There travelers found food, shelter and cool, life-giving water.

The first European of modern times to see and describe Petra was the Swiss Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, who was traveling incognito. Next to the ancient theater you can see a building from the Edomite or Nabataean era. Monuments built after the 6th century AD. e. practically none, because in that era the city had already lost its significance.

Current situation

Geographical location

These days, about half a million tourists come to Jordan every year to see Petra, whose buildings testify to its glorious past. As tourists walk through the cool, kilometer-long Siq Canyon, around a bend they discover the Treasury, a majestic building with a façade carved out of a huge rock. It is one of the best preserved structures from the first century. The building is crowned by a huge stone urn, which supposedly contained gold and precious stones - hence the name “Treasury”. The canyon gradually widens, and tourists find themselves in a natural amphitheater, in the sandstone walls of which there are many caves. But the main thing that catches your eye is the crypts carved into the rocks. The colonnade and amphitheater testify to the presence of the Romans in the city in the first and second centuries. Modern Bedouins, descendants of the Nabateans, offer tired tourists rides on a camel, sell souvenirs and water their herds of goats at city springs, the waters of which quench the thirst of people and animals. The old cobbled roads of Petra are still used exclusively by camels, horses and donkeys.

Construction

Having learned to skillfully collect water, the inhabitants of Petra also mastered the art of working with stone. The name “Petra”, which means “rock”, is associated with stone. And Petra, indeed, was a city of stone; there was no such thing in the Roman Empire. The Nabateans, who built the city, patiently carved houses, crypts and temples from stone blocks. Petra is nestled among red sandstones that lend themselves well to building, and by the first century AD a monumental city had grown up in the heart of the desert.

Al Khazneh

The famous rock temple-mausoleum, “Pharaoh’s Treasury,” as the Arabs call it. The mausoleum was created in the 2nd century. - perhaps in connection with the visit of Emperor Hadrian to Syria. The exact purpose of the structure is not completely clear. There is an assumption that it was originally a temple of the goddess Isis. In any case, many features of the monument indicate that it could have been built by craftsmen familiar with the techniques of architecture of Alexandria of Egypt.

The Al-Khazneh Mausoleum is an example of the greatest skill of ancient architects and stone carvers. It’s worth thinking about what techniques they used to carve the façade, based on what calculations, what preliminary designs? But there are no answers, and one can only make assumptions.

The huge surface of the rock was hewn away. But for this it was necessary to build scaffolding, and there are almost no trees in this area. In the absence of forests, it was possible, without cutting off the entire surface at once, to take advantage of the unevenness of the rock and walk along it, as if on steps. In this case, both the stonemason and the carver started at the very top, cutting out the first step, and then went lower and lower. But how in this case could they determine the required scale of the structure? After all, it’s one thing to mark out a future building and cut it down while standing on scaffolding, and quite another thing to do the same thing while hanging over an abyss. In any case, the experience and skill of the architects and stone carvers who created this magnificent rock mausoleum evoke respectful admiration.

City of Petra

The territory of Petra occupies a large area. From the center, where the ruins of numerous buildings are well preserved, no longer rock-built, but built in the traditional way, from stone, it extends for several kilometers.

The main street, stretching from east to west through the entire city, was laid during Roman rule. A majestic colonnade stretches on both sides of it. The western end of the street abutted a large temple, and the eastern end ended with a three-span triumphal arch.

Ed-Deir, a monastery carved into the rock at the top of a cliff, is a huge building about 50 m wide and more than 45 m high. Judging by the crosses carved on the walls, the temple served as a Christian church for some time.

Cultural studies

Herman Weiss in his book “History of Culture: Costume. Decorations. Houseware. Armament. Temples and dwellings. Customs and Manners” mentions the architectural style characteristic of Petra (in the text - “Petrea”):

In the era of decline, Roman architecture abandoned all the laws of architectonics and, obeying the fashion for tasteless splendor, began to create buildings that seemed made of soft material rather than built of hard stone. An example of such architectural bad taste is the tomb facades of Petrea.

Water in the desert

Annual rainfall in Petra is only about 15 centimeters. To get water, local residents cut down canals and reservoirs right in the rocks. Over time, almost every drop of rain in and around Petra was collected and stored. Thanks to the water, which the inhabitants of Petra skillfully conserved, they were able to grow crops and raise camels. In addition, they were able to build a city - a center of trade. Water still flows along the entire length of the Siq canyon through winding stone channels.

• The climactic scenes of Steven Spielberg's Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade were filmed in Petra.

Sources

Links

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

See what “Petra (city)” is in other dictionaries:

- (Greek rock) a city in the country of the Edomites, 100 km from the Arabian Gulf, in a valley surrounded by rocks, on the eastern slope of Mount Horus; important in trade with Arabia. P. was originally called Sela (city of rock), in the 9th century. BC... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron

City (late 2nd millennium BC - 15th century AD) in the South. Jordan; in the 2nd century BC e. 1st century n. e. capital of the Nabataean kingdom. Cave dwellings, temples, theaters, tombs, etc... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Petra is a polysemantic term: Petra is a female name (for example, Italian), analogous to the male name Peter. Nemtsova, Petra top model from the Czech Republic Majdic, Petra skier from Slovenia. Martic, Petra tennis player from Croatia. Bele, ... ... Wikipedia

City of Petra, Greek. Πέτρα ... Wikipedia

- (Sela) (rock), the capital of the Nabataeans (Nabaioth) in Edom, in the Wadi Musa valley, 80 km south. Dead Sea. At this same place, the capital of the Edomites, Selah (rock; 2 Kings 14:7; cf. 2 Chronicles 25:12; Isa 42:11; Jer 49:16; Obd 3), was probably previously located. On Mount Umm... ... Brockhaus Biblical Encyclopedia

Couldn’t they travel [study the history of past centuries and millennia, and then visit the preserved monuments, capitals of states and civilizations that once flourished and crushed any enemy], having at the same time understanding hearts and hearing ears?!

It is not people’s eyes that go blind, but their hearts that are in their chests [they do not heed the lessons of the past in the present, they do not try to understand them. Their whole life is a run from nowhere to nowhere along a narrow path of stereotypes and personal interpretations, subjective conclusions].*

Holy Koran 22:46

Impressed?

Then let's reveal our cards a little.

So, Petra (Arabic: البتراء‎‎) - ancient city, capital Edomites (Edom), later the capital of the Nabataean kingdom. Located on the territory of modern Jordan, at an altitude of more than 900 m above sea level and 660 m above the surrounding area, the Arava Valley, in the narrow Siq canyon.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan or Jordan - an Arab state in the Middle East. It borders with Syria in the north, Iraq in the northeast, Saudi Arabia in the east and south, and Israel and Palestine in the west. Jordan shares the coastlines of the Dead Sea with Israel and Palestine and the Gulf of Aqaba with Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

About 90% of the kingdom's territory is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts.

Jordan's most famous landmark is , the city we are interested in Petra , located 262 kilometers south of Amman, and 133 kilometers north of Aqaba in the Wadi Musa valley.

The ancient city is the property of the Bedouins, who manufacture and sell souvenirs on the territory of the museum, and also offer rides on horses or camels. In place of the current one Petra was the first fortified settlement, called " Sela" — "stone, rock". Later this name was translated into Greek - Petra ("stone").

Petra - the capital of the Nabatean kingdom and one of the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient cities. Petra is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the new wonders of the world. In ancient times, Petra was located on the trade route connecting the Middle East, Arabia and India.

Historians believe that the city was built by the Nabateans, Arab tribes of nomads who settled on these lands in the 3rd millennium BC. Petra's appearance owes much to Greco-Roman culture, which the Nabataeans adapted to their needs. Beginning with a few easily defended caves in the rocks, Petra gradually grew into an impregnable fortress city. The lands of the former Nabataean kingdom and Peter were completely forgotten in the West.

The first modern European to see and describe Petra was the Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.

The very location of Petra is surprising, namely the mountains, which, depending on the time of day, change their color from dark red to pink and even orange.

Getting to the ancient city is not so easy; you will have to cover several kilometers on foot: first go down and then climb back through Siq gorge. From the east and west the cliffs drop steeply, forming natural walls up to 80 m in height.

Here is a description of this path, made in the 70s: “The path to the city lies through this passage. Its length is about 1.2 km, and its width is from 4 to 10 meters or more. The spectacle is truly unforgettable: reddish and brownish rocks up to 80 m high hang on both sides; A strip of sky is blue above, coarse gravel and sand rustle underfoot, and it smells of dampness and mold. The Romans failed to take Petra for several years; its inhabitants, blocking the only narrow passage leading to the fortified city, could hold back an entire army with small forces...

Walking down the aisle- both on the right and on the left above my head are these cut up, gnawed stones of red color. During the rainy season, this gorge turns into a rapid, turbulent stream. The road is decorated with the remains of an ancient pavement and rock bas-reliefs, and along the edges, like a railing, a water trench meanders, delivering water to Petra.

The beginning of the gorge through which you can get to Petra itself

Already approaching the exit from the gorge, we freeze in amazement: through the hole in the dark corridor, about fifty meters from its end, a pink building illuminated by the sun with columns and an elegant pediment is clearly visible. A few more minutes of patience and in front of us is one of the monumental tombs of Petra... What is most striking is that it is a solid stone mass without any additions.

It opens around the corner El Khazneh- a majestic building with a facade carved from a huge rock. It is one of the best preserved structures from the first century. The building is crowned by a huge stone urn, which supposedly contained gold and precious stones - hence the name of the temple (translated from Arabic as “treasury”).

The interior of one of the “rooms” of El Khazneh.

Here you can clearly see that all this was carved out of a solid stone mass.

Once around the rock and the Al-Khazneh Palace, you will find yourself surrounded by hundreds of rock-cut buildings, temples, tombs, small and large residential buildings, tombs and festive halls, long staircases, arches and cobbled streets. A little lower, a huge Roman amphitheater carved from stone, which once accommodated more than 4 thousand spectators.

High in the mountains above the city there is a sacred place of worship of the gods, from where a stunning panorama of Petra opens up - an amphitheater, a Byzantine church and tombs of the kings, Roman colonnades, the mausoleum of Aaron, and the main temple of the Nabateans - Qazr al-Bint.

Here is a list of the most interesting of them: El-Khazneh ("Treasury", the tomb of one of the Nabatean kings), Ad-Deir ("Monastery"), Sakhrij ("Djinn's Blocks"), "Obelisk Tomb", "Facade Square", sacred Mount Jebel Al-Madbah ("Mountain of Sacrifice"), "Royal Tombs", Mugar An-Nasar ("Caves of the Christians"), Theatre, Byzantine church behind the ruins of the Nymphaeum, Al-Uzza Atargatis ("Temple of the Winged Lions"), Qasr Al -Bint (“Palace of the Pharaoh’s Daughter”, although the pharaohs, naturally, have nothing to do with this building), etc.

The city has two archaeological museums: the old (in Mount Jebel Al-Habis) and the new, with excellent collections, as well as many monuments identified with biblical chronicles - the Wadi Musa valley itself ("Valley of Moses"), Mount Jebel Harun (Mount of Aaron , where, according to legend, the high priest Aaron died), the source of Ain Musa (“The Source of Moses”), etc.

Petra was called a “nest of robbers”, “bloody stones”, “cursed place”, “city of evil spirits”, “ghost city”, “city of bloody altars”, “city of the dead”.

The territory of Petra occupies a large area. From the center, where the ruins of numerous buildings are well preserved, no longer rock-built, but built in the traditional way, from stone, it extends for several kilometers.

The main street, stretching from east to west through the entire city, was laid during Roman rule. A majestic colonnade stretches on both sides of it. The western end of the street abutted a large temple, and the eastern end ended with a three-span triumphal arch.

Ed-Deir is a monastery carved into the rock at the top of a cliff - a huge building about 50 m wide and more than 45 m high. Judging by the crosses carved on the walls, the temple served as a Christian church for some time.

Later, after researchers excavated the space under the monastery, they discovered the tomb of one of the Nabatean kings.

Here is a very educational video from the National Geographic Channel:

The remains of this “city of the dead” are an edification for us who live after them. In the SacredIn the Koran, the Almighty tells us in several verses about the destroyed peoples and villages:

How many settlements We destroyed along with their sinful, godless inhabitants: [old] houses collapsed and became empty, wells [water supply systems] became useless and fell into disrepair, and [solid] palaces built [using the latest science and technology] [ if they remained standing, they were empty and deserted].*

Holy Quran, 22:45

Each of the human communities has its own term [nothing lasts forever in this world, everything (people, peoples, cities, states, eras, civilizations) has an earthly beginning and end]. If it comes, then nothing can be changed (it is impossible to delay it or speed it up).*

Holy Quran, 7:34

Haven’t you seen what your Lord did to the ‘Adites?! [With their tribe] Iram, who had [majestic] buildings supported by columns. There were no people like them [powerful and strong, smart] anywhere until that moment.

Holy Quran 89:6-8

Don’t they see [don’t know] how many civilizations were destroyed by Us earlier! Truly, they will not return to them [to the existing ones]!*

Holy Quran 36:31

In conclusion, I will quote the words of a Muslim scholar-sage who was asked:

“Why do we hear edifications and instructions, but cannot benefit from them, they are not reflected in our lives?

The sage replied: “For five reasons:

First: Allah has endowed you with many bounties, granted you countless blessings, but you have lost your sense of gratitude towards Him

Second: having committed a sin, you stopped feeling the fear of God’s wrath, you stopped asking for mercy with deeds and words

Third: You don't follow what you know.

Fourth: There are righteous, well-behaved people around you, but you don’t even think of emulating them.

And the last one“: you bury the dead, see off many of your loved ones and acquaintances to another world, but cannot learn an instructive lesson from this”

As-Samarkandi N. Tanbih al-gafilin.P.292

O Allah, fill our hearts with timidity before Your greatness and power. Awaken in us this feeling, which will manifest itself in our tears, which will be filled with heavenly springs in the highest degrees of Firdavs in the future life! Amine.

Radia Zavdetovna,

Mahalla No. 1

*With comments by Sh. Alyautdinov

Materials used when writing this article:

Wikipedia

Sh. Alyautdinov “The Holy Quran. Meanings"

I. Alyautdinov “Know. Believe. Honor"