Hidden by time and shifting sand, petra tells of a lost civilization Little is known about the nabateans—a nomadic desert people whose kingdom rose up from these cliffs and peaks, and whose. Petra, ancient city, center of an arab kingdom in hellenistic and roman times, the ruins of which are in southwest jordan The city was built on a terrace, pierced from east to west by the wadi musa (the valley of moses)—one of the places where, according to tradition, moses struck a rock and water gushed forth. Petra was founded over 2000 years ago along the ancient trade routes between arabia, egypt, and the mediterranean sea As a center for trade, the capital became very wealthy and powerful
The busy city was bustling with life, full of lush gardens, ornate houses, and markets loaded with exotic goods from india, arabia, and egypt. It is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, where ancient eastern traditions blend with hellenistic architecture. Located 240 km south of the capital, amman, and 120 km north of the red sea town of aqaba, petra, the world wonder, is undoubtedly jordan's most valuable treasure and greatest tourist attraction It is visited by tourists from all over the world. Petra is the legacy of the nabataeans, an industrious arab people who settled in southern jordan more than 2,300 years ago. Complete guide to visiting the world wonder petra in jordan, a unesco world heritage site