This year marks the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Petra, a wonder of the ancient world discovered in late August 1812, by the Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt.  Petra, located southwest Jordan, halfway between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea,  is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A SWISS DISGUISED AS AN ARAB

The Swiss explorer heard about some ancient ruins in an isolated valley known as the Valley of Moses and hired a guide who took him up there for the price of two old horseshoes.  He was dressed as an Arab to protect himself from the tribes hostile to the European infidels.   To get there he had to have an excuse because otherwise local Bedouin tribes would have thought he was a wizard in search of a treasure.  He did not think of anything better to tell the guide he had vowed to sacrifice a goat on the tomb of Aaron, which was located near the valley and off he went, equipped with a goat and a fresh goat skin bag carrying water.

At one point they could not move forward, a stone wall was blocking their way.  Then they saw a crack in the rock and slipped over there, darkness surrounded them, only saw a narrow strip of light over their heads.  Suddenly, after 25 minutes of moving between the walls of the gorge, the rock opened before them, revealing an impressive and wonderful pink red façade of almost 30 meters high, the Al Khazneh or the Treasure of Pharaoh.

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USEFUL INFORMATION

Petra National Trust   Petra National Trust is the integral body in the conservation, preservation, and sustainable management of Petra.

Jordan Tourism Board  Official website of the Jordan Tourism Board

STAY

Wadi Mussa is a small town, the nearest to the archaeological site of Petra.  The town hosts many hotels and restaurants for tourists visiting this place.

Petra Marriot Hotel    Spectacular views throughout the hotel and most guest rooms, situated just 5 minutes drive of the entrance of Petra, shuttle services available.  Rates from 139 JOD

Related articles

• Petra – Nature and Man join hands to create a marvel (bhavenjani.wordpress.com)
• Carved Rooftop, Petra (aytacgok.wordpress.com)