Petra is an archaeological site in Jordan considered one of the modern wonders of the world today. If you’re wondering when the best time of year is to visit and how to get there, here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip.
What Is Petra, And Where Is It?
Petra is a ‘lost city’ in that it was once incredibly significant worldwide, but its power faded over the centuries. After an earthquake, the decline of the Roman Empire, and changes in commercial routes, among other factors, it became forgotten by the Western world. Its history also covers the Crusades of the Middle Ages. In 1812, a Swiss traveler stumbled upon the site, and the British and American archaeological societies assisted in the excavation to rediscover the city for a Western audience.
Petra is located in Jordan and is the country’s most famous tourist attraction. Jordan is in the Middle East, bordered by Syria in the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to the west.
Who Built Petra, When, And Why?
It began as a trading post for nomadic peoples en route between the Mediterranean, Arabia, and Egypt. The Nabataeans were an incredibly skilled trading tribe in the spice trade. Over time, they abandoned their nomadic lifestyle and began constructing intricate houses and buildings in Petra between the first and second centuries AD.
Is Petra A Wonder Of The World?
Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, not to be confused with the ancient world’s Seven Wonders. Greek scholars compiled a list of the seven wonders of the ancient world over the centuries, but only one remains that travelers can visit today: the Great Pyramids of Giza.
The Seven Wonders of the Modern World were nominated globally by millions in 2007, organised by the New7Wonders Foundation, and chosen for their scale, ingenuity, and cultural significance. Petra is one of these, along with the Great Wall of China, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India. They are all extraordinary feats of engineering, and rulers built them to showcase power; they all carry symbolic, cultural, or religious significance.
What Is So Special About Petra?
Within Jordan, Petra is located in the desert, southwest of the country. The fact that it is in the desert makes it all the more extraordinary; how these nomadic people developed sophisticated means of bringing water into the desert. They cut channels into the rocks and built underground tunnels to move the water through the arid landscape from streams and springs. They also discovered how to store water underground, protecting them from changing weather and attacks.
Over time, the Nabataean civilization grew, and it began charging visiting traders for providing shelter, food, and drink for merchants. It also charged fees for moving through its territories. As more people traveled through Petra, the city gained more residents who brought new ideas from China, India, and Europe. The Romans took control in AD 106, and visitors can witness their influence on Petra through the public spaces they incorporated into the city’s existing fabric.
When Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Petra?
Petra has over one million visitors yearly, but there are times when visiting is more advantageous. As is often the case with global tourist attractions, it’s best to arrive early in the day to avoid the crowds and heat (or late, but with a higher risk of missing out on what you want to see). Shoulder season is also beneficial, meaning a visit in March, May, September, or November is ideal for cost and crowds.
How Do I Get To Petra?
If you don’t want to travel to Petra in the same way as Indiana Jones, on horseback, and it is an option, you can also travel by car, bus, or camel.
Visitors often arrive from Amman or Aqaba via an organized tour, but traveling independently is also acceptable. The visitor center is in Wadi Musa, where you can join guided tours.
Is Petra Worth Visiting?
As one of the seven wonders of the modern world, it is a fantastic place that offers many cultural insights into, among other things, the astonishing engineering required to produce such advanced water systems, a guide to historical trading routes, the Nabataean community, and it’s something to marvel at the skill needed to carve such sandstone rock facades, tombs and temples, by hand.
Many visitors also travel to see the natural gorge, called Le Siq, that leads into Petra. The red rose sandstone is impressive, leading to its nickname, the Red Rose City. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 because it exemplified global historical significance.
That in itself is worth discovering, but Jordan, too, is an interesting place to visit, not only because of its history, but also because of its unique geography in the world. As a neighbor of Syria, Israel, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian territories, and a very peaceful and safe country, it offers a unique opportunity to visit the region.
Jordan, Petra’s home, is currently a level two country, as per the U.S. Department of State, meaning Exercise Increased Caution—the highest level is four—and the U.S. government advises travelers to stay away from the country’s borders.