Jordan: Al Khazneh ('The Treasury') at Petra c. 1900

Petra (Al-Batrā) is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is known for its rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourism attraction. It lies on the slope of Mount Hor in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Petra remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as 'a rose-red city half as old as time' in a sonnet by John William Burgon. UNESCO has described it as 'one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage'.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

Eric Matson (PD)

Credit:

Pictures From History