01/10/2018
Petra, the famous rock city, is located in the south of Jordan, and was created by the Nabataean Arabs. Since 1985 Petra belongs to the World Heritage Sites and since 2007 it is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The Nabateans settled here more than 2000 years ago and carved temples, tombs and houses in the red rose sandstone. When this nomadic Arabs showed up on the historical stage is not clear, the first definite historical mention of them is in 312 BC. They gained power through the control of the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked Asia and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. In the first century BC King Aretas III extended the Nabatean Empire to Damascus. Important for the Nabatean success was their ability to create a sophisticated water supply system with channels and cisterns.