Petra facts for kids

This page is about the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. For other uses, see Petra (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Petra (𐢛𐢚𐢓𐢈‎)
Ad Deir (Monastery) Petra Theater Al-Khazneh (Treasury) Qasr al-Bint temple Urn Tomb Great Temple
Location	Ma'an Governorate, Jordan
Area	264 km² (102 sq mi)
Elevation	810 m (2,657 ft)
Built	Possibly as early as the 5th century BC
Visitors	1,135,300 (in 2019)
Governing body	Petra Region Authority
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UNESCO World Heritage Site
Criteria	Cultural: i, iii, iv
Inscription	1985 (9th Session)
Area	26,171 ha

Petra is an amazing ancient city in southern Jordan. It was originally called Raqmu by its first inhabitants. Petra is famous for its incredible buildings carved right into the rock. It also had clever systems to manage water. People often call it the "Rose City" because of the beautiful pink color of the sandstone cliffs. Petra is recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

People have lived in the area around Petra since about 7000 BC. The Nabataeans, a group of Arab people who traveled a lot, settled here around the 4th century BC. Petra became the capital city of the Nabataean Kingdom in the 2nd century BC. The Nabataeans were smart traders. They used Petra's location on important incense trade routes to become a major trading center. This brought them a lot of wealth. They were very skilled in agriculture, stone carving, and collecting rainwater.

Petra was at its busiest in the 1st century AD. During this time, the famous building called Al-Khazneh (the Treasury) was built. It might have been a tomb for a Nabataean king. The city's population grew to about 20,000 people. In 106 AD, the Roman Empire took control of Nabataea and renamed it. Petra's importance slowly faded as new sea trade routes became popular. A big earthquake in 363 AD also damaged many structures. Later, during the Byzantine era, some Christian churches were built. But the city continued to shrink. By the early Islamic era, most people had left, except for a few traveling groups. The Western world didn't know about Petra until 1812. A Swiss traveler named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it then.

UNESCO calls Petra "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage." Today, Petra is a symbol of Jordan. It is also Jordan's most-visited tourist spot. Nearly a million tourists explore its wonders every year.

Exploring Petra's Rich History

Early Settlements and Ancient Times

Cliffs near Petra, offering views over Wadi Arabah.

The area around Petra has been home to people for a very long time. Around 7000 BC, some of the first farmers lived in a place called Beidha, just north of Petra. Later, during the Bronze Age, Petra was mentioned in ancient Egyptian writings.

The Edomites and Early Trade

Between 1200 and 600 BC, during the Iron Age, the Edomites lived in the Petra area. The mountains around Petra helped them collect water. This made Petra a great stopping point for merchants. They traded things like wines, olive oil, and wood. The Edomites left their mark on Petra before the Nabataeans arrived.

The Rise of the Nabataeans

The Nabataeans were a group of traveling Arab people. They moved with their animals across the Arabian Desert to find water and food. They were very skilled at living in the desert. Evidence shows that the Nabataeans called Petra "Raqēmō." This name might refer to the city's famous carved rock buildings.

Petra Under Roman Rule

A general view of the ancient city of Petra.

A Roman bronze coin showing a Petra temple with a statue.

In 106 AD, the Roman Empire took control of Petra. The city continued to thrive for a while under Roman rule. A Roman road was built, helping trade. However, Petra's importance began to lessen. Other cities, like Palmyra, became more important for trade.

Emperor Hadrian visited Petra in 130 AD. He gave it the name Hadriānī Petra Metropolis. Even with imperial visits, Petra's growth slowed. An earthquake in 363 AD caused a lot of damage. It hurt the city's important water system.

Petra in Byzantine Times

The Byzantine Church in Petra.

During the Byzantine period, Petra became a center for Christianity. Many churches were built. In one church, over 140 ancient papers were found. These papers show that Petra was still active in the 6th century. But the city continued to decline. By the time of the early Islamic era, most people had left.

Crusaders and Rediscovery

Alwaeira Castle, a Crusader fortress near Petra.

In the 12th century, Crusaders built castles near Petra. But they eventually left the area. Petra then became largely forgotten by the outside world. It remained hidden until 1812. A Swiss traveler named Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it. He dressed as a local and explored the area. He was convinced he had found the lost city.

Petra in Recent Centuries

The narrow Siq passage in Petra, comparing 1947 (left) and 2013.

After its rediscovery, artists and explorers visited Petra. Léon de Laborde and Louis-Maurice-Adolphe Linant de Bellefonds made the first accurate drawings in 1828. Later, archaeologists began to study the city. In 1929, a team started excavating and surveying Petra.

The local Bedouin people, called the Bedul, used to live in the caves of Petra. In the 1980s, the Jordanian government helped them move to a nearby village. This was done to protect the ancient site and support tourism. Today, the Bedul often work in tourism, sharing their knowledge of Petra.

In December 2022, Petra experienced heavy flooding.

Exploring Petra's Layout and Architecture

The Siq and Water Management

The narrow passage, known as the Siq, leading into Petra.

Petra is located in a basin surrounded by mountains. The Siq is a famous narrow gorge that leads into the city. It's a natural split in the sandstone rocks. The Nabataeans were masters at managing water. They built dams, cisterns, and channels to control floods. These systems stored water during dry times. This allowed their desert city to thrive like an artificial oasis.

Hellenistic Architectural Wonders

The Hadrian Gate, also called the Temenos Gate, in Petra.

Petra is famous for its Hellenistic architecture. Many tomb facades are carved in this style. This shows how the Nabataeans traded with different cultures. These cultures were all influenced by Greek art.

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh)

The magnificent Al-Khazneh (Treasury) at night.

The most famous building is Al-Khazneh, or "the Treasury." It's carved into a sandstone cliff. It stands 24 meters wide and 37 meters tall. Its design is similar to buildings in ancient Alexandria. The facade has a broken top section with a round building inside. Statues of Greek gods, Castor and Pollux, protect travelers at the bottom. Near the top, two victory figures stand beside a goddess. She is believed to be Isis-Tyche, a goddess of good fortune.

The Monastery (Ad Deir)

Ad Deir ("The Monastery"), Petra's largest monument.

Another amazing example is Ad Deir, "the Monastery." It is Petra's largest monument, 45 meters tall and 50 meters wide. It's also carved into the rock face. Like the Treasury, it has a broken top section and a round building. The Monastery shows a mix of Nabataean and Greek styles. Outside, there's a large flat area used for worship.

The City Centre and Public Spaces

The ancient Theatre in Petra.

Beyond the Treasury, you'll find a massive theatre. It was carved into the hillside. It could hold about 8,500 people. Here, audiences enjoyed poetry readings and dramas. The theatre was damaged by the 363 AD earthquake.

Petra Pool and Garden Complex

The Petra Pool and Garden Complex.

The Petra Pool and Garden Complex is a series of structures in the city center. It was once thought to be a market. But excavations show it was an amazing Nabataean garden. It had a large swimming pool, an island pavilion, and a complex water system.

Colonnaded Street

The Colonnaded Street is one of the few structures in Petra that was built, not carved. It once had a semi-circular fountain. This street was meant to symbolize peace. When the Romans took over, they narrowed the street. They added 72 columns on each side.

High Place of Sacrifice

The High Place of Sacrifice sits on top of Jebel Madbah Mountain. It's about an 800-step hike from Petra's theatre. People performed various rituals here. They offered libations and sacrificed animals, often goats. This was done to honor important figures, like the Prophet Aaron.

Royal Tombs

{{wide image|Koenigsgraeber.jpg|950|align-cap=center|The Royal Tombs in the southern part of the city.]]

The impressive Palace Tomb.

The Royal Tombs of Petra are grand buildings carved into the rock. They show the Nabataean version of Hellenistic architecture. The Palace Tomb might have been for Petra's kings. The Corinthian Tomb looks similar to the Treasury. The Urn Tomb has a large front yard. It was even used as a church in 446 AD.

Petra's Importance for Trade and Religion

A Hub for Trade Routes

A map showing the location of Petra.

Petra was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. It was a major center for caravan trade. Its location, surrounded by tall rocks and with a constant water supply, made it a strong fortress. Petra controlled important trade routes. These routes connected to places like Gaza, Damascus, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf.

Nabataean Beliefs

The Great Temple of Petra.

The Nabataeans worshipped Arab gods and goddesses. They also honored some of their kings after they passed away. Dushara was their main male god. He was joined by three female goddesses: Al-‘Uzzā, Allat, and Manāt. Many statues carved into the rock show these deities.

Christianity in Petra

Christianity arrived in Petra during the 4th century AD. The city slowly became Christian. The Roman Empire's first Christian emperor, Constantine I, helped stop the persecution of Christians. One of the tombs, now called the "Urn Tomb," was even used as a church.

Traditional Stories of Moses and Aaron

According to tradition, Petra is a very special place. It's said to be where Moses struck a rock and water appeared. It's also believed that Moses' brother, Aaron, is buried on Mount Hor, known as Jabal Haroun. The valley leading to Petra is called Wadi Musa, meaning "Wadi of Moses."

Petra's Climate

Petra has a semi-arid climate. This means it's quite dry. Most of the rain falls during the winter months. The average yearly temperature in Petra is about 15.5°C (59.9°F). Around 193 mm (7.6 inches) of rain falls each year.

Climate data for Petra
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	11.0 (51.8)	13.1 (55.6)	16.6 (61.9)	20.9 (69.6)	25.1 (77.2)	28.6 (83.5)	29.8 (85.6)	30.0 (86.0)	28.1 (82.6)	24.6 (76.3)	18.2 (64.8)	13.4 (56.1)	21.6 (70.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	2.2 (36.0)	2.8 (37.0)	5.6 (42.1)	8.7 (47.7)	11.7 (53.1)	14.1 (57.4)	16.1 (61.0)	16.5 (61.7)	14.2 (57.6)	11.2 (52.2)	7.1 (44.8)	3.4 (38.1)	9.5 (49.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	45 (1.8)	38 (1.5)	36 (1.4)	12 (0.5)	4 (0.2)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	2 (0.1)	15 (0.6)	41 (1.6)	193 (7.6)
Source: Climate-Data.org, Climate data

Protecting Petra: Conservation Efforts

Al-Khazneh, Petra's most popular tourist attraction.

Petra was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on December 6, 1985. In 2007, people around the world voted it one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The Petra Archaeological Park (PAP) now manages the site.

Challenges to Petra's Preservation

Petra faces several challenges. Ancient structures can collapse. Flooding and poor drainage cause erosion. Salt from the rocks can damage buildings. Sometimes, old structures are not restored correctly. A big challenge is the increasing number of tourists. In 2019, Petra welcomed 1.2 million visitors.

Working to Protect Petra

To help protect Petra, the Petra National Trust (PNT) was created in 1989. They work with groups from Jordan and other countries. Their projects focus on protecting and preserving the site. UNESCO and ICOMOS have also published books about threats to World Heritage sites, using Petra as an important example.

Animal welfare is also a concern. Organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have raised awareness about working animals in Petra. They encourage good care for camels and donkeys. The local authorities have responded by proposing veterinary clinics and educating animal handlers.

Petra is a special place where nature and culture meet. Since its rediscovery in 1812, many people have been interested in its history. Archaeologists continue to excavate and research the Nabataean culture. Protecting Petra means taking care of both its natural landscape and its amazing carved buildings.