Xplore Petra 1.1

Situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea and inhabited since prehistoric times, Petra, the rock-cut capital city of the Nabataeans, flourished during Hellenistic and Roman eras as a significant caravan center for the trade of Arabian incense, Chinese silk, and Indian spices. It served as a vital crossroads connecting Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and Phoenicia.

Petra, with structures half-built and half-carved into the rocky landscape, is encompassed by mountains with intricate passages and gorges. A sophisticated water management system enabled substantial settlement in this arid region during the Nabataean, Roman, and Byzantine periods. It stands as one of the world's most extensive archaeological sites, set amidst a striking red sandstone terrain.

Key Nabataean monuments within Petra include notable sites such as the Siq, Al Khazna (Treasury), the Outer Siq, royal tombs carved into the rock faces, the Royal Palace, Temple of the Winged Lions, Great Temple, Qasr al-Bint, and the Al-Deir Monastery.

The exceptional universal value of Petra is reflected in its inclusion on the list of World Heritage Sites.