Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Petra
9
Petra is one of the world's most impressive and
atmospheric archaeological sites. Its marvellously
preserved rock-hewn tombs and temples once encircled
a thriving metropolis. There has been human settlement
here since prehistoric times, but before the Nabataeans
(see p227)
came
hole. Between t
AD, they built a
a vast trading em
Rome. Christian
Muslims in the 7
the 12th. Therea
ten until 1812 w
by JL Burckhard
+&#&-
6..;":56/"
+&#&-
&-%&*3
P
8"%*&-4*:
(
.
The Monaster
The imposing faç
Monastery, or El-
47 m (154 ft) wid
40 m (131 ft) hig
magnificent Nab
temple may later h
as a church
(see
+&#&-
&-263":
+&#&-
"556'
VISITING PETR
• It is worth spe
than a day her
are passes for
• Cars allowed u
gate but not b
• Horses may be
take you the 9
a mile) to Siq
• Two-seater ho
carts go from
office to the T
From there Pe
covered on fo
• Basic food and
water availabl
• Wear sunhat a
W
fa
c
tor sunscreen.
• Avoid wandering off
A
main walk routes without
guide and water supply.
• A new visitors' centre is
A
being built near the Siq.
in the 1st century AD,
this theatre follows the
standard Roman design
of the time. It was large
enough to seat up to
7,000 people
(see p225)
.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp262-3 and pp279-80
