PETRA

Although Petra is not in ISRAEL you can easily visit it by crossing the border with Jordan on a daily trip to Petra or for a longer trip….

Petra, the capital of the Nabataean Arabs, is a renowned archaeological site and one of the most popular tourist attractions worldwide. It is situated in Jordan, 240 km south of Amman and 120 km north of Aqaba, as shown on the map. The exact date of Petra’s construction remains unknown, but the city prospered as the Nabataean Empire’s capital from the 1st century BC. The Nabataeans gained wealth from trading in frankincense, myrrh, and spices. Petra was eventually absorbed by the Roman Empire and continued to thrive until a massive earthquake destroyed much of the city in 363 AD. This, combined with changes in trade routes, ultimately led to the city’s downfall and abandonment. The city appears to have been deserted by the mid-7th century, except for local Bedouins. Swiss explorer Johannes Burckhardt “rediscovered” Petra in 1812, dressing up as an Arab and convincing his Bedouin guide to lead him to the lost city. Since then, Petra has become increasingly known as a fascinating and beautiful ancient city and attracts visitors from all over the world. The city is also called the rose-red city due to the striking color of the rock used to carve many of its structures. In addition to the magnificent remains of the Nabataean city, Petra also boasts human settlement and land use for over 10,000 years, resulting in a blend of natural, cultural, archaeological, and geological features. Petra was designated a World Heritage Site on December 6, 1985, and has been chosen by the Smithsonian Magazine as one of the 28 places to visit before you die.

BOOK A TOUR TO PETRA HERE !