This video provides a comprehensive tour of Petra, a historical and archaeological site in Jordan. The tour begins at the Petra Visitor Center and covers various aspects of the site, including its history, architecture, and tourist attractions.
The video starts by noting that the entrance to Petra is surprisingly expensive, costing 50 JD ($70) per person for a one-day ticket. It also explains that the Jordanian dinar has been the currency of Jordan since 1950, with 1 JD being equivalent to $1.41. The city of Wadi Musa, where Petra is located, is almost entirely dependent on tourism.
Petra was once the capital of the Nabataean Empire and is famous for its funerary temples, the facades of which were carved directly into the rock. The video also mentions that children under 12 are free when accompanied by their parents.
The video provides a detailed description of the Siq, a 1.2 km long natural sandstone gorge that winds towards the ancient city of Petra. The Siq is one of the highlights of Petra, and the video encourages viewers not to rush through it. The video also mentions that the Treasury, a mausoleum, is the most famous sight in Petra.
The video provides a detailed description of the Treasury, mentioning that it consists of two floors and has a total height of about 40 m (131 ft). The video also mentions that the Treasury was nicknamed "the treasure" by the local Bedouins who believed it was filled with riches.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Theater Necropolis, a small tombs that line the canyon wall. The video mentions that the High Place of Sacrifice Trail, also known as the Wadi al Farasa Trail, starts at the stairs just behind the Why Not Shop and ends at Qasr al-Bint (Temple of Dushare).
The video provides a detailed description of the Corinthian tomb, which is similar to the Treasury, but badly eroded. The video also mentions that the Palace Tomb is very spacious and has three distinct stories.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Nymphaeum, a semicircular public fountain. The video mentions that the Nymphaeum was a semicircular public fountain. To the untrained eye, it may just look like a pile of rocks.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Great Temple, the main temple at Petra. The video mentions that the Great Temple was built at the junction of two caravan routes and it is thought that Petra grew up around this monument.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Byzantine Church, a church that was built in Petra in the 5th century. The video mentions that the church burned down in 600 AD and was destroyed even further after an earthquake that followed.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Lion Triclinium, a tomb that got its name from two carved lions, one on either side of the door. The video mentions that the Lion Triclinium is similar to other tombs. It has a carved facade and an empty room inside.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Qasr al-Bint, the best-preserved free-standing structure in Petra. The video mentions that Qasr al-Bint Far'un - "The Castle of the Pharaoh's Daughter" - was given to it by the Bedouin and is connected with a local legend.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Monastery, a church that was built on the hill above Positano. The video mentions that the Monastery was built in the late 5th century, and it was the last major construction in Petra.
The video also provides a detailed description of the Ad Deir, a town located above the Monastery. The video mentions that the trail to Ad Deir leads through a dry river bed and you will see local people living in the mountains and small orchards of olive and lemon trees.
The video also provides a detailed description of the city of Petra, mentioning that it was a vibrant city that witnessed a constant procession of travelers, visitors, and pilgrims, all of whom passed through the Siq. The video mentions that Petra is located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. Petra, Jordan has a cash machine at the entrance, and the ticket counter only accepts cash.
2. The cost of entrance to Petra is 50 JD ($70) per person for one day, and 55 JD for two days.
3. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by their parents.
4. Petra is located about 250 km (160 mi) south of Amman, the capital of Jordan, and 100 km (60 mi) north of the port city of Aqaba.
5. The Jordanian dinar (JD) is the currency of Jordan, and 1 JD is equal to $1.41.
6. Petra was once the capital of the Nabataean Empire.
7. The city of Petra is known as the "Rose City" due to the color of the stone.
8. Petra is also known as the "Lost City" since it remained unknown to the western world until 1812.
9. The Siq is a 1.2 km long natural sandstone gorge that leads to the ancient city of Petra.
10. The Treasury is a famous monument in Petra, and its actual name is Al-Khazneh.
11. The Treasury is a mausoleum and was the final resting place of the Nabataean king Aretas IV.
12. The Treasury is about 40 meters high and intricately decorated with Corinthian capitals, friezes, figures, and more.
13. Petra is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
14. The site of Petra covers an area of 102 square miles (264 km²).
15. Petra was built around the 5th century BC, but it was not until the 1st century BC that the city began to flourish.
16. The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who capitalized on Petra's proximity to the incense trade routes, establishing it as a major regional trading center.
17. By the first century AD, Petra was a thriving regional trading center with an estimated population of 20,000.
18. The Romans conquered Petra in 106 AD and renamed it Arabia Petraea.
19. Petra is home to over 1,000 individual graves and is one of the largest royal tomb complexes in the world.
20. The Great Temple in Petra is believed to have been a senate house or seat of government.
21. The Qasr al-Bint temple in Petra is the best-preserved free-standing structure in the city.
22. The Monastery in Petra is a rock-cut façade that is 47 m (154 ft) high and 48 m (157 ft) wide.
23. The actual purpose of the Monastery is unknown, but it was eventually used as a Christian chapel.
24. Petra was a major center of Christianity in the Byzantine era.
25. The city of Petra was largely abandoned by the early 8th century.
26. The remaining population of Petra managed to survive by searching the ancient buildings for resources and looting the many tombs.
27. An earthquake in 748 caused further severe damage to the city.
28. The valley basin of Petra remained inhabited until the 12th century.
29. In 1115, the King of Jerusalem ordered the construction of the Montreal Fortress to control the caravan routes.
30. In 1276, the Sultan Baibars passed through Petra on his way from Egypt to Kerak in present-day Jordan.