Petra: Where History and Beauty Converge (Video)
Petra is an ancient city located in present-day Jordan, renowned for its breathtaking architecture carved into the rose-red cliffs and its historical significance. The history of Petra dates back over 2,000 years to the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in the region around the 6th century BC. They established Petra as their capital and transformed it into a vibrant trading hub along major caravan routes, amassing great wealth through commerce. At the height of its prosperity during the 1st century AD, Petra's iconic structures were erected, including the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), the Monastery (Ad Deir), and the Royal Tombs. The Nabataeans showcased their remarkable engineering skills by creating elaborate water channels and cisterns, making Petra an oasis in the desert.
However, with the decline of the Roman Empire and changes in trade routes, Petra's importance waned, and it eventually fell into obscurity. The city remained largely forgotten by the Western world until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812. Today, Petra stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, attracting tourists and archaeologists alike who marvel at its majestic beauty and glimpse into the ancient past of this once-thriving desert civilization.
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Top image: Petra, Jordan. Source: kanuman / Adobe Stock.
