Petra The Rose-Red City

The Rose-Red City

Over 2,000 years ago, the Nabataeans created Petra—the city of stone. Journey with us behind the iconic facade from the movies, and discover one of the great wonders of the world, forgotten by time itself.

Explore an ancient world wonder, forgotten by time itself.

This Trek is best experienced with headphones

Older than time,
bigger than Manhattan

Petra was the capital city of a once-nomadic tribe called the Nabataeans. At its peak, this dusty metropolis housed 250,000 people and measured over 100 square miles—or three times the size of Manhattan. Even today, 800 tombs and more than 100 temples are known to exist, with many more still lying undiscovered.

Petra housed 250,000 people and measured 100sq miles—or 3x the area of Manhattan.

Walk with the Nabataeans

Out here in the arid desert and blazing sun, it's hard to imagine how a massive desert city larger than Manhattan, NY could ever survive.

It's hard to imagine how a desert city larger than Manhattan, NY could ever survive.

Choose from any of the hotspots on the map to explore the route or scroll down to find out more about Petra.

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God blocks

These blocks are known as 'Djinns' from the local belief they were created by spirits or 'genies'.

Gateway to the Siq Gateway to the Siq

Dominating the main city entrance are three sandstone blocks thought to represent the god of the mountains, Dushara. Some historians believe they helped watch over Petra's life-giving water supply, crucial for the city and inhabitants existence. These huge 'god blocks' by the entrance once guarded over the city's precious water supply.

Explore Petra with Street View Explore Petra with Street View

Many people think that Petra begins and ends with Al Khaznah - The Treasury - but as you will learn there is so much more to explore within this ancient city. Stay and walk around here for a while or click below to start exploring Petra in its entirety. There's so much more to Petra than just The Treasury. Walk around here to explore or tap on the pin to journey through the city in its entirety.

Explore Petra

Spot the pyramids

Like much of Petra's architecture, these obelisks have a distinct Egyptian style.

An ancient extension?

Some say the triclinium came after tomb. Others think they were carved together, in the 1st century AD.

Underground chambers

Archaeologists believe these subterranean dwellings housed guards protecting the city from invaders.

Ancient walkways

Look around and you'll see the original paved walkways, still here from Nabataean times.

Smooth to the touch

These once-rough and jagged walls have been smoothed by centuries of floodwater.

Sorry, Dr. Jones

There's no Holy Grail in here. Just 3 stone rooms, and a guard out front keeping tourists in check.

Hidden tombs

4 burial chambers have been discovered here, with the bones of 11 people and 1st century artefacts.

Ka-ching!

Believing it once held treasure, Bedouins have used machine guns to try and dislodge a coin or two.

Fact or fiction?

These carved niches may once have stored scrolls, leading some historians to think it was a library.

God blocks

Incredibly, these two 7m high obelisks were created by chiseling the mountain from around them.

Ancient fort

On the north side of the ridge are the remains of an old crusader fort.

Mud desposits

Huge floods in 400 AD were strong enough to move 2 metre boulders and filled many of the facades with mud.

Connecting courtyard

A large courtyard once connected the tomb to the 'funeral ballroom' and its unique carved interior.

Room with a view

Recent excavations show a villa-type structure once stood here, possibly occupied by a high priest.

Renaissance tomb

Although not as elaborate as other Petra tombs, this smaller one is still very colourful.

Ahead of its time

Carved in around 129 AD, the tomb is named after its minimalist, symmetrical, design.

Full house

Here you can see evidence of old tombs, which were later removed to make way for more seats.

Roman refurb

Although the Nabataeans built the original theatre, the Romans later added a stage wall, which was levelled by a massive earthquake in 363 AD.

Stone urn

The urn carving that sits on top of the pediment suggests this is the burial spot of a Nabataean king or even King Aretus IV.

A new religion

The tomb was converted to a Christian church by Bishop Jason in 447 AD.

Nabataean flatpack

During construction, the cliff wasn't high enough, so engineers pre-assembled the top from stone.

Royal farewell

This ancient stage and courtyard would have been a backdrop for state or royal funerals.

Ancient engineering

The curved Roman paving was designed to repel flood water and carry wheeled vehicles.

Centuries of shade

The Juniper tree shading this ancient stone fountain is thought to be 450 years old.

Future findings

Archeologists have yet to excavate outside the street area. Who knows what's under here.

Interior decor

Two thousands years on, the plaster on this wall still retains its original colour.

A rich oasis?

Excavations around the site show evidence of a large swimming pool and lavish gardens.

Seismic solutions

To help the building withstand earthquakes, shock-absorbing juniper wood was placed between the bricks.

Craftsmanship

The elaborate masonry work suggest this was once a very important building.

Former glory

Originally it would have stood 23m high, with marble stairways and a platform for worshipping on.

Holy graffiti

Although built to worship the god Dushara, Christian crosses have since been carved into the walls.

A familiar face

While it might look similar to The Treasury, its carvings are much less intricate.

Fine art

Historians think the fresco in here was probably created to honour the Greek god, Dionysus.

Back from the brink

It took three years to clean the paintings. Some are detailed enough to identify specific plant species.

Table for two

At one time, the cave would have been a biclinium—a dining area for two people.

Clean up

Even here in the desert, Nabataean wash basins were fed by local water channels.

Compact living

Remains of small homes and cave dwellings are still visible today.

Cold canyon

Siq al Barid means 'cold canyon', due to its high walls and shady orientation.

Tooltip

Nabataean number crunching

Carved tombs

800

Theatre seats

8,000

Population

250,000

250k

Nabataean kingdom

Their empire covered southern Jordan and stretched as far east as the Sinai Desert. Historians believe they were highly literate, and one of the most advanced civilisations of the ancient world.

This advanced civilisation inhabited southern Jordan, and as far east as the Sinai Desert.

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Early Nabataean history

The Nabataeans were desert nomads who rose to power in the 4th century BC. Using advanced skills in engineering and trade, they eventually created their capital city of Petra, in southern Jordan.

The Nabataeans were desert nomads and traders who rose to power in the 4th century BC.

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Irrigation

The Nabataeans were masters of storing and moving water to and around their city. It’s said they could locate water anywhere in the desert, giving them a safe refuge to retreat to when needed.

They were experts at storing and moving water, and could locate desert springs from nowhere.

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Theatre

What's especially amazing about Petra's grand amphitheatre is it was carved entirely from the rock face, unlike conventional Roman theatres which were made with individual bricks.

Their entire theatre was carved from rock, unlike Roman ones which were built with bricks.

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Qasr al-Bint

Translated from Arabic, its name means "The palace of the girl", as locals once believed this building belonged to a daughter of the Pharaohs.

Locals believe "The Palace of the girl" once held a daughter of the Pharaohs.

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Monastery

It'll take an hour's climb and 800 steps to reach here, but the views across the city are worth it. Although it's hotter, the best time to go is the afternoon when the facade is lit up by the sun.

It takes an hour and 800 steps to reach this holy place, but the views are amazing.

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Underground tombs

Recent excavations of The Treasury showed the path used to be several metres lower. Further digging revealed 3 well-preserved tombs, human bones, and even remains of frankincense in a stone altar.

Excavations here revealed 3 tombs, human bones, and a stone altar containing frankincense.

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Caves

The Nabataeans didn't just carve tombs and temples from the rock. They built their homes too—which can still be explored today. Be sure to knock first though. Some are still inhabited by Bedouins.

If you explore the caves, be sure to knock first. Some are still inhabited by Bedouins.

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The Treasury

Years ago, a kind of urban myth came about that The Treasury once stored the city's riches. Hoping to dislodge the goodies, passing Bedouins used to fire shots, and the holes are still there today.

This place is riddled with bullet holes, where Bedouins tried to dislodge the mythical gold.

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High Place of Sacrifice

Historians can't quite agree what was sacrificed here on these altars. Most likely animals, but possibly humans. What they do know is it's a heck of a walk up here, and you should take extra water.

Historians can’t agree what was sacrificed here. Probably animals, possibly humans. Gulp.

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Royal tombs

The views here are as beautiful as the tombs themselves. Rich red, orange, purple and pink—depending on the time of day. No wonder Nabataean royalty chose this as their final resting place.

Up here, the view’s as pretty as the tombs. No wonder the royals chose to be interred here.

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Preserving Petra

Over 2,500 tourists pass through Petra each day—and every time they climb a winding staircase or touch a sandstone wall, a tiny piece of the city disappears forever. Some parts of The Treasury have receded by 40mm in just 10 years. For the authorities, it’s about striking the right balance between a great tourist experience, and preserving a precious past. And yet, in a cruel twist of irony, regional conflict means visitor numbers are now at their lowest in years. Petra may be about to face it toughest battle yet.

Explore Petra with Queen Rania Al Abdullah

Join Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and Wander through the lost city of Petra. Experience for yourself why it's one of the Smithsonian Institution's 28 places to see before you die.

See why Petra's one of the Smithsonian Institutions's 28 places to see before you die.

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Explore in Street View

Maps

Petra The Rose-Red City

This Trek is best experienced with headphones

Older than time, bigger than Manhattan

Walk with the Nabataeans

Gateway to the Siq Gateway to the Siq

Explore Petra with Street View Explore Petra with Street View

Nabataean number crunching

Nabataean kingdom

Early Nabataean history

Irrigation

Theatre

Qasr al-Bint

Monastery

Underground tombs

Caves

The Treasury

High Place of Sacrifice

Royal tombs

Preserving Petra

Explore Petra with Queen Rania Al Abdullah

Explore more views from Jordan

Explore more views from Jordan

Older than time,
bigger than Manhattan