The astonishing Petra, the world’s first-known cave-dwelling ancient city

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department, compiled and reported
 
Founded in the 8th century BC, Petra is an ancient cave-dwelling city located in Jordan. Originally established by the Edomites, Petra was later abandoned by the end of the 8th century AD due to changes in the overland trade routes and a series of earthquakes that damaged the city. Over its more than 1,500 years of history, several peoples who brought prosperity to the city once settled in Petra, so its ruins and architecture reflect the diverse artistic and cultural influences of those civilizations.

Forgotten for over a thousand years, Petra regained attention when Swiss Orientalist Jean Louis Burckhardt stumbled upon the ruins of an ancient city while traveling from Cairo to Damascus, sparking renewed interest in Petra among contemporary explorers.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Petra has now become a highly popular tourist destination. Around 400,000 visitors come each year to see this “treasure of antiquity.” There, people can admire the unique cave dwellings, rock-carved temples and royal tombs, the stunningly colorful siq (canyon), and the museum showcasing ancient artifacts unearthed in the area.