The ancient city of Petra, located between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba in what is today Jordan, was the capital of the Arab tribe known as the Nabataeans between 400 BC and 106 AD.
Petra, which remained the capital until it was occupied by the Roman Empire, was rediscovered in 1812 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
Petra, the Lost City, started to fall out of favor due to both natural disasters and economic problems since the 400s and was forgotten over time.
The word Petra comes from the Greek word ‘petros’ meaning rocks.
The purpose of the ancient city of Petra was not found by historians for many years, and today only 15% of the city has been discovered by archaeologists.
Al-Khazneh (El-Hazne) Temple, which makes Petra unique, is about 40 meters high and 25 meters wide. The most interesting and fascinating aspect of the temple is that, unlike other structures, it was carved from top to bottom.
In the latest researches; Under El-Khazneh, a hidden and buried area with royal tombs was found.
The Ancient City of Petra was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List on December 6, 1985 and was included among the New Seven Wonders of the World on July 7, 2007.
Petra is the sister city of Machu Picchu in Peru.
In order to enter the Petra Archaeological Park, it is necessary to pass through a 1.2 kilometer long passage called The Siq, at the entrance of which there is a dam built by the Nabataeans that protects the city from flooding.
The structures in the ancient city, which is spread over an area of approximately 100 square kilometers, were carved into rock blocks made of sandstone.
There is an amphitheater built during the Roman period, as well as structures such as a theatre, temple and house carved from limestone.
Some Films Shot in Petra:
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, 1977
Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade, 1989
Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, 1997
The Mummy Returns, 2001
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, 2009
Queen of the Desert, 2015
Aladdin, 2019
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