Petra – Capital of the Nabataeans

More than two thousand years ago, Petra was built by the Nabataeans (Arab people who inhabited northern Arabia and the Southern Levant) in the heart of the Shara Mountains. It prospered in the first centuries BC and AD and was a vital part of a major trading route connecting ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Today’s intricate facades sculpted into the sandstone cliffs of the area can still be seen, along with other remarkably preserved structure and monuments of this fascinating civilization.

* Quote taken from Petra – Ancient City Map – purchased at site.

The Siq

This narrow gorge leads visitors into Petra. The Siq resulted from a natural splitting of the mountain and is 1.2 km long. A triumphal arch once spanned the entrance to it. Two water channels run along both rock sides. As well as presenting a dramatic entryway into Petra, the Siq also holds many relics from Petra’s past, including a paved road, Sabinos Alexandra Station, and Nabataean baetyls (sacred stones).

The Start

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Triumphal Arch

Here is where the Triumphal Arch once was, creating a dramatic entrance into Petra.

You can see a very small bit of its remains on the left side of the gorge.  

I know what I’m looking at – it might not be easy to see – it is two visible stone bricks to the left, in the shadows from the sun.

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Statues For Gods or Street Lights

If I remember correctly, our guide told us these niches held statues of the Nabataean gods.  

During our tour of Jerash, Romans used niches as street lights along main roads.

I wonder if the Nabataeans also used these niches as lights along The Siq at night?

Close up of a niche under the right side of the Triumphal Arch.

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Water Channels

Water channel that runs along side the entire length of the rock entrance.

Wadi Shab in Oman had water channels as well.

Walking The Siq

The Siq is 1.2 km long.

Further in, our guide (big man ahead of us) didn’t wait for me while I took pictures, as he was on a time limit with us – 2.5 hours.

Soon we would enter into the fantastical realm of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

S, 🇯🇴

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June, 2019 – Exploring Jordan

Ajloun, Jordan – Ajloun Castle – A 12th Century Muslim Castle

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – Arriving & Arch Of Hadrian & Visitor’s Centre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – The South Gate Entrance

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City Of Gerasa/Jerash – The Oval Forum or The Oval Plaza

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Manhole Covers For Underground Drainage

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Street Lights

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Water Fountain

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Chariot Tracks

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – The Macellum

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Earthquake Alarm System

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – The Nymphaeum

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – The Parking Lot

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Incredible Cardo Maximus – Tetrapylon Monuments

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – The North Theatre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Artemis Temple

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Walk From Artemis Temple To The South Theatre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – The South Theatre

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – Zeus’ Temple

Jerash, Jordan – The Ancient Greco-Roman City of Gerasa/Jerash – That’s A Wrap

Madaba, Jordan – St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church & The Madaba Map – A 6th Century Map Of Jerusalem And The Holy Land

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Its Religious Significance & The Drive There

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Franciscan Custody Of The Holy Land & Monolith Of The 2000 Jubilee & The Abu Badd

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Olive Trees

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – Walk To The Mount Nebo Museum

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Jordanian Bedouin

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Museum

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – View Of The Holy Land

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Olive Tree Of Pope John Paul II

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Brazen Serpent Sculpture Created By Italian Artist Giovanni Fantoni 

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – The Moses Memorial Church & Byzantine Mosaics

Madaba, Jordan – Mount Nebo – Moses & The Holy/Promised Land – A Visit To Sacred Grounds

Madaba, Jordan – A Local Artisan Shop

Dhiban, Jordan – Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon

Dhiban, Jordan – Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon – The Bedouin

Shoubak, Jordan – The Outcasts Of Jordan – The Bani Murra Or Dom People

Shoubak, Jordan – Ancient Landscape

Shoubak, Jordan – The Smallest Hotel in the World

Shoubak, Jordan – Montreal Crusader Castle

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Check In

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Turkish Bath

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Ban Al Siq, Obelisk Tomb & Abdomanchos’ Burial Monument

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Entering The Siq

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Siq – Indiana Jone’s Ride Through The Siq

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Siq – Sandstone Hues Of Pinkish Orange & Relics Of The Past

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Siq – Petra Bedouins – Captain Jack Sparrows Of The Jordanian Desert

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – The Moment You See It

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – The Corner Before The Treasury

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – Every Angle Possible

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – The Camels

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – The Donkeys

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Treasury – Al-Khazneh – Fun Moments

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Historic Information Before Walking The City

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Street of Facades

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Theatre

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Royal Tombs

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Nymphaeum

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Church

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – The Great Temple Complex

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Winged Lion Temple

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Qasr Al-Bint

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Wandering Donkeys

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Wandering Goats

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Horses

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Camels

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Tomb Or Home?

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Marguerite van Geldermalsen – Married To A Bedouin

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – New Friends

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Ancient Red-Rose City Of Petra – Walking Back – End Of The Tour

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Exploring This Desert Oasis

Wadi Musa, Jordan – Hyatt Zaman Hotel & Resort – Morning Shisha At Sahtain Restaurant

Aquaba, Jordan – Driving The Desert Highway From Petra To Wadi Rum

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – The Dramatic Seven Pillars Of Wisdom

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Visitor Centre

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Mazayen Rum Camp

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Planet Pasaana, Jedha, Mars, Arrakis & Earth

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Lookout Climb & Scalding Hot Sand

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Michael Climbs & Alien Space Ship

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Otherworldly Landscapes

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Barrah Siq – Valley of the Moon Or Lawrence Of Arabia Pass

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – 4×4 Tour – Barrah Siq – Lawrence of Arabia Memorial Camp

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Bedouin Barbecue – Zarb

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Sunrise Camel Trek

Aqaba, Jordan – Wadi Rum – Final Moments

Aqaba, Jordan – View Of Eilat, Israel & Driving Highway #65

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – Unforgettable First-Time Swim

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – The Mud

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – The Dead Sea – Floating

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – Afternoon In The Pool

Balqa, Jordan – Dead Sea Spa Hotel – Last Day

Amman, Jordan – Final Day In Jordan

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