Ride a Mule up a Mountain to a Monestary in Petra
If you are looking for an Indiana Jones style adventure, you may want to ride a mule to the top of the mountain above Petra and discover anancient temple known as the Monastery. Petra is considered one of the new Seven Wonders of the World by the Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation. Over 100 million people worldwide also voted (via telephone and Internet) on the following as the top seven: Chichen Itza in Mexico, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, the Roman Coliseum, the Great Wall of China, Machu Pichu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India.
The “Rose-Red City” was built around 100 B.C. as the capital city of the Nabatean people. It remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt traveled to the area that is now Jordan and convinced a local guide to bring him to the ancient city that was well known amongst the locals. The city hit pop culture fame when the Al Khazned, or Treasury building was featured in the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as the final resting place of the Holy Grail.
The “Rose-Red City” was built around 100 B.C. as the capital city of the Nabatean people. It remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when Swiss traveler Johann Ludwig Burckhardt traveled to the area that is now Jordan and convinced a local guide to bring him to the ancient city that was well known amongst the locals. The city hit pop culture fame when the Al Khazned, or Treasury building was featured in the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as the final resting place of the Holy Grail.
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Some of the Important Sites to See in Petra Include:
The Treasury - Standing over 40 meters high, Al Khazneh as it is called in Arabic, is believed to be either a temple or a royal tomb constructed in the 1st century BC. It is nicknamed the Treasury because the Bedouins believe that pirates hid ancient treasures from Egyptian pharaohs in the giant stone urn that stands in the center of the second level. Place of High Sacrifice – Located at the top of the mountain, this was where the ancient civilizations that once inhabited Petra, took part in rituals of sacrifice (animals and people) to appease their gods hoping this would bring them good fortune. The Monastery – The Monastery, a façade that resembles the treasury, is thought to be a Nabatean temple dedicated to the deified King Obodas I, who reigned in the 1st century BC. It was nicknamed the Monastery because of its remote location. Some people hike to the top of the mountain to get here, while others rent a mule and a guide. The mule can't make it for the last part because the trail is too narrow, so you will have to hike that part. The Petra Church - This ancient Byzantine church was built around 450 AD then remodelled in 500-50 AD and again in 600 AD. Unfortunately it was destroyed by a major fire and an earthquake and was abandoned until rediscovered in 1990 by Kenneth W. Russell and excavated over the next eight years. In 1993, 152 papyrus scrolls were uncovered inside the church comprising the largest group of written material from the antiquity period ever found in Jordan. The scrolls were the records of an extended family and contained a will that divided property (including vineyards and slaves) amongst three brothers. They gave researchers a glimpse into late-era Petra life. The floor of the church has over 70 square meters of remarkably preserved mosaics depicting a variety of animals and personifications of Seasons, Ocean, Earth and Wisdom. So put on your adventure hat and come explore this amazing ancient rose colored city! |
This is the official headwrap of Jordan
Goat Herder in Petra
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The Monastery at Petra
Camel rides are available in Petra
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Cafe located across from Monastery
Building facade in Petra
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Teresa the Traveler in Petra
Petra
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The Treasury, located at the end of a gorge called the Siq, was where the holy grail was hidden in the Indiana Jones flick, the Last Crusade.
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Teresa the Traveler's Petra Travel TipsBring your Credit Card - It never occurred to me that I could ride a mule to the top of a mountain in Jordan to look at an ancient temple and eat lunch at restaurant/gift store ove-looking the temple and pay with either my Visa or Mastercard...but I can.
Ride a Camel/Horse or Mule - Motorized vehicles are prohibitted at the site but not to worry, if walking isn't your thing, you can always hire a horse-drawn carriage to bring you from the front gate, through the siq and to the Treasury, then hire a camel or mule to take you through the city, and then a mule to carry you to the Monestary. Be the First Mule - If you are riding a mule to the monastery try to be the first in line. Mules can sometimes get bad gas and riding behind one can be torture on the nose. Buy a Guide Book - There are so many incredible little gems tucked away throughout the city that you will need to purchase a guidebook to find them all. Purchase a Three-Day Pass - You can buy a one day, two day or three day pass. I found that two days was enough to catch all the major sites but many prefer the three-day pass for the full experience. Visit Petra at Night - Be sure to stay late one night because to experience Petra at night by the light of 1,800 candles is truly out-of-this-world! Walk through the Siq to the Khazneh following a candle-lit path and enjoy the haunting music of the Bedouins at the Treasury. Tours start at 8.30pm and finish at 10.00pm every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. For tips on visiting Jordan CLICK HERE
For tips on visiting the Middle East CLICK HERE For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE For tips on travelling on a budget CLICK HERE
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Where I Stayed...
El-Rashid Hotel PetraTourism Street, Jordan Tel:00962 7 77815814 Email: [email protected] Check them out on Trip Advisor 
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