Petra

ancient cities · architecture · Jordan

Carved from rock. Instead of building with bricks or stone blocks, the people of Petra carved entire buildings right out of the red sandstone cliffs. They chiseled homes, temples, and tombs directly into the mountainside.

The Rose City. Petra gets its nickname "Rose City" from its stunning pink and reddish sandstone. When the sun hits the cliffs at different times of day, the rock glows in beautiful shades of red, orange, and purple.

Clever water systems. The ancient people of Petra built amazing underground channels and pipes to carry water through the desert to their city. This smart engineering helped them survive in a dry, sandy landscape.

Lost and rediscovered. Petra was built over 2,000 years ago but was forgotten for centuries until a Swiss explorer found it again in 1812. Today it's one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

A trading hub. Petra was located on important trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea, making it a busy center where merchants bought and sold goods.