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Petra rocks
In Jordan, there's music in the air. And while there, don't forget to take in Petra and its famed rock-carved architecture.
- By Ashraf Helmi, Senior Sub Editor
- Published: 23:16 July 18, 2008
In Jordan, there's music in the air. And while there, don't forget to take in Petra and its famed rock-carved architecture.
Right now, Jordan's buzzing like an upturned beehive. The Jordan festival, which goes on till August 9, will see stars like Fadl Shaker, Placido Domingo and Mika entertaining music lovers in the region. And while there, who can come away without visiting Petra?
Click here to watch a video on Jordan's city of Petra
Jewel in the crown
Take a walk through the the ancient city and you will see just why this site has been selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
And why it's the jewel in the crown of Jordan's tourism industry, attracting almost 100,000 people every year.
It was founded almost 2,000 years ago by the Nabataeans, who were merchants controlling a number of trade routes in the region.
And Petra was an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.
Excavations have demonstrated that the Nabataeans controlled the water supply that led to the rise of the desert city.
They controlled floods with the use of dams, cisterns and water conduits. As a result, the city prospered from the sale of water during periods of drought.
Discovery
However, the site remained relatively unknown to the outside world until 1812, when it was discovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
The Nabataeans were skilled artisans who drew on a number of influences in their work. As such, a striking feature of Petra is the mix of both Eastern and Hellenistic architecture.
The city is half-built, half-carved into rock and riddled with natural pathways and chasms.
At every turn are hundreds of elaborate rock-cut tombs and engravings that have stood the test of time.
But Petra is huge and most of tourists get to see only a fraction of the site.
Planning a trip? Check out the map for the must-visit sites and make the trip a memorable one.
The Monastery
Getting to this monument is a strenuous walk but well worth the challenge. It is locally known as Al Deir and is the largest monument in Petra — larger than the even the Treasury. Once you walk up, the views are some of the finest you will find here.
The Theatre
This is the only example in Petra of a Roman-style theatre carved into a mountain rock face. It was built by the Nabataeans in AD1 but expanded by the Romans. It has over 30 semicircles and can seat 8,000 people.
The Treasury
Of the 800 carved tombs in Petra, this is the most visited and was famously featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. It takes its name from an urn perched at the top of the monument, which supposedly contains an Egyptian pharoah's treasure. It is pockmarked with bullet holes, which served as a testament to the belief of local Bedouins that there were attempts to break the urn and seize the treasure.
Byzantine Church
In 1990, Kenneth W. Russell discovered the remains of a Byzantine era church on the north slope of the Colonnade Street.
This monument was built in AD 450 over Nabataean and Roman remains. It features elaborate mosaics and natural motifs as well as marble columns and a paved floor. The church also had side rooms, a baptismal tank and a room full of burnt scrolls, now known as the Petra Scrolls.
The Siq
The main entrance to Petra is called the Siq and is its most familiar part. It's a winding road that takes you down to the Treasury and the sides are as high as 650 ft. Look out for rock-cut engravings as you walk along and admire the richly coloured natural geological formations.
High Place of Sacrifice
This monument is perched on top of one of the highest mountains in Petra. A walk to this site is tough even for some of the more hardy visitors. The place held spiritual significance for the Nabataeans but was not intended for crowds. Three steps lead up to the altar, at which a priest would sacrifice animals. The High Place itself was carved flat and drainage channels were cut into the rock to allow the blood of sacrificial animals to drain away. To the right, you can look down on the King's Wall and the Royal Tombs.
More reasons to visit
Events at the Jordan Festival
Here is a list of events in which top Arab and international performers will spin their magic. Programmes are, however, subject to last-minute changes what with reports suggesting that some of the top names have threatened to pull out. But organisers insist that the show is going on.
Here's what you are promised:
- Fadl Shaker, Yara and Haytham al Shomali perform today at Amman Citadel.
- Placido Domingo (Cairo Opera House and Cairo Symphony Orchestra), Julia Migenes and Monica Yunus perform on July 21 at Jerash South Theatre.
- Mika performs on July 25 at the Dead Sea.
- Abdallah Rowaished and Hussein al Salman perform on July 26 at Amman Citadel.
- Assi El Halani and Diana Karazon perform on August 1 at Amman Citadel.
- Ragheb Alameh, Sofia Marhik and Zyad Saleh perform on August 2 at Amman Citadel.
- Mohamed Hamaki and Tony Kattan perform on August 7 at Amman Citadel.
- Amr Diab performs on August 9 at Jerash South Theatre.
Go there . . . Petra, Jordan From the UAE . . . From Dubai
Price per person on a double sharing basis: Dh4,175
Package includes return economy class flight on Emirates, 4 nights stay in a standard double room at The Movenpick Hotel, Petra, daily breakfast and return airport transfers
From Abu Dhabi
Price per person on a double sharing basis: Dh3,425
Package includes return economy class flight on Etihad Airways, 4 nights stay in a standard double room at The Movenpick Hotel, Petra, breakfast and return airport transfers
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