The Timeless Rock-Cut Architecture of Petra

A walk down the narrow 1.2km long gorge called the Siq leads to the towering Al Khazneh, one of the new seven wonders of the world. This is the ancient city of Petra in southern Jordan. Known for its spectacular rock-cut architecture, Petra is one of the most popular tourist sites in Jordan. The entire citry is carved out of rose-coloured stone for which Petra is also known as the Rose City. The city dates back to approximately 9000 BC and it has seen its share of destruction of structures. But the ones that remained are impressive with their timeless beauty. Since 1985 Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds an important place in the history of cultural heritage.

The most popular attraction to visit in Petra is Ad-Deir, a monastery designed in Nabatean architectural style. Reaching the monastery could be a chore for one has to climb a flight of 800 steps. The second popular attraction is Al Khazneh or the Treasury. To reach Al Khazneh one has to walk the 1.2km long narrow gorge of beautiful and naturally coloured sandstone walls. As you emerge from the Siq you will come face to face with the massive Al Khazneh, one of the best preserved monuments in Petra.