Overview
Petra was the capital of the Nabataeans, Arab traders who grew rich controlling incense and spice routes. They carved tombs and temples directly into the sandstone and engineered dams and channels to store scarce rainwater.
The famous façade known as al-Khazneh, “the Treasury”, was probably a royal tomb. After Rome annexed the region in 106 CE, Petra slowly declined, and it was introduced to European audiences by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.
What to see
- The Siq — the narrow gorge leading into the city.
- Al-Khazneh (the Treasury).
- The Royal Tombs and the theatre.
- Ad-Deir (the Monastery) — about 800 steps up, worth every one.
Plan your visit
Getting there, best time & where to stay
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Frequently asked questions
Who built Petra?
Petra was built by the Nabataeans, an Arab people who controlled caravan trade routes in the centuries around the turn of the era.