Petra, often referred to as the "Rose City" due to the color of the stone from which it is carved, offers a breathtaking visual experience. As you approach Petra, you are greeted by its iconic entrance, the Siq, a narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs over 80 meters high. This meandering passage stretches for about 1.2 kilometers, with natural patterns and striations in the sandstone walls that are a canvas of shifting shadows and light.
Emerging from the Siq, you find yourself in front of the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), Petra’s most magnificent facade. Carved directly into the pink sandstone cliff face, the Treasury stands about 40 meters high, its ornate decoration glowing in the soft sunlight. The facade is a masterpiece of ancient architecture, featuring a combination of Hellenistic and native Nabatean elements. Intricate carvings of mythological figures and bas-reliefs add to its grandeur, creating a sense of awe and wonder.
Beyond the Treasury, Petra expands into a vast complex of ruins, including tombs, temples, and an amphitheater that once seated thousands. The streets of Petra are lined with colonnaded avenues and the remnants of grand structures. The Royal Tombs, carved into the face of Jebel Khubtha, provide a dramatic backdrop to the city’s center, displaying a variety of architectural styles and a testament to the city’s historical significance and the skill of its builders.
As you walk through Petra, the play of light transforms the city throughout the day, with the sun casting dramatic shadows and illuminating the rose-colored stone, enhancing the mystical and almost supernatural atmosphere of this ancient wonder.
Petra, Jordan | Civilisation - BBC Two
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