Petra, Jordan’s most-visited tourist attraction and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site since 1985. The city of rose-colored stone was carved out of the rock by the Nabataeans in the 3rd century BC.
An international advisory board has been formed to oversee the Baptism Site Development Zone, in line with His Majesty King Abdullah’s commitment to safeguarding the site as a global tourism and pilgrimage destination.The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ in Jordan, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, holds great significance for all Abrahamic faiths, and is one of the most sacred places on earth for all Christians, since it is where Jesus Christ was baptised by John the Baptist, and where Christianity began, according to a statement made available to The Jordan Times.
Source: Upon Royal directives, international advisory board formed to oversee Baptism Site Development Zone
With coronavirus restricting travel, many of the kingdom’s key tourist locations are just a click away…
Source: Ten places to visit in Jordan from the comfort of your own home
While UNESCO and the Vatican agree the site is in Jordan, a spot across the Jordan River, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, draws more visitors.
Source: Where Jesus Was Baptized, Jordan Vies With Israel For Tourists
Traverse the other-worldly scenery of Jordan’s Wadi Rum. The unparalleled desert, which has provided the backdrop to movies like The Martian and Star Wars, offers travelers the opportunity to hike, camp, and take in a landscape not unlike Mars. For a true outer space experience, visitors can stay overnight for a guide-led star-gazing adventure.
Source: Exploring Mars Without Ever Leaving Earth’s Orbit in Wadi Rum, Jordan
Travel to a galaxy far, far away without ever needing light speed.
Source: 7 Star Wars Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit
A project to safeguard ancient inscriptions and drawings in a desert valley is helping local Bedouins to draw connections to the past.
Source: In Jordan’s desert, ancient rock art finds modern defenders
Melinda Healy was left in awe after a guide surprised tourists with a unique spiritual experience…
Source: How the sound of one man’s call to prayer in Petra is educating tourists from around the world
The desert castle Qasr Amra (or Qusayr Amra), located 25 kilometres west of Azraq, is one of the most important monuments in Jordan and in the whole world, said an Italian architect.“It bears the only preserved large wall-painting cycle dating back to the Umayyad period [first half of the 8th century AD],” noted Giorgio Sobrà who is in charge of the restoration of the castle.
Source: Italian architect seeks to unravel ‘mystery’ of Qasr Amra
Umm Al Rassas is a UNESCO World Heritage site, located about 75 kilometres south of Amman, famous for its 16 Byzantine churches. In the late third century AD, the place was known under the name Kastron Mefaa, being the military camp of a cavalry unit, which protected the neighbouring villages from bedouin raids. Due to population growth in the fifth and sixth centuries, the place became the civilian, double-walled town of Mefaa.
Source: Project digs into ancient agricultural practices in Umm Al Rassas
Long before the rise of Islam in the 7th century AD, an Arab power arose in the 4th century BC. Known as the Nabataean Kingdom, is formed from an Arab, Bedouin tribal base, much as the Islamic empire did almost a millennium later. In time, the Kingdom became a client state of the Roman Empire and thereafter declined in importance to the point where it almost disappeared from the map. It became so hidden in its geographic and economic isolation that it was virtually forgotten, becoming home to just a few nomads.
Source: The Nabataeans–An Early, Pre-Islamic Arab Kingdom Once Lost in Time
The Al-Hijr site in Saudi Arabia As an ancient city carved out of sandstone, Al-Hijr extends over an area of 15 km² in northwest Saudi Arabia. This is a magnificent site, left as a legacy by the Nabataean civilization, with a multitude of tombs, wells and monuments richly decorated. As you walk through them, you …
Source: Middle East: an overview of UNESCO World Heritage Sites – KAWA
The Ultimate first-timer’s travel guide to Petra, Jordan.
Source: A Guide to Petra: One of New Seven Wonders of the World – Out of Town Blog
Glimpsing the Treasury building at the end of mile-long hike down a narrow slot canyon — bright in the sun against the shadow of the cliff walls — has something of the quality of a mirage.
Jordan’s petroglyphs are riddled with bullet holes from historic target practice and battles. A multidisciplinary forensics team went to Wadi Rum to assess the damage.
Source: In the Crosshairs: Ancient Rock Art Under Fire – Eos
Petra, also known as the “Red Rose City,” is undoubtedly Jordan’s most popular tourist site. A stunning historical marvel built into the face of red rocks more than 2000 years ago, it’s a sight to be seen – and be seen it must, because you won’t believe it till you’re there.
Jordan is booming with adventure, indoors and out. From Petra to Wadi Rum, this guide outlines bike tours, ancient archaeological visits, and nights under the stars.
Source: Jordan Travel: 5 Adventures You Can’t Miss | GearJunkie
One of the seven new wonders of the world, the city of secrets, Petra, has become particularly popular since the release of one of Indiana Jones’ series and has since attracted millions of tourists from around the world. Petra (Arabic: البتراء, Al-Batrāʾ; Ancient Greek: Πέτρα), originally known to the Nabataeans as Raqmu, is a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan.
Source: Petra – One of the 7 New Wonders of the World – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency
The ancient ruins of Petra, Jordan, highlight the pervasive influence of Greek architecture in ancient times. Here is what you have in store when you visit the archaeological site…
