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Petra: photos and travel information
Petra is a historic site of world importance, and its beauty is enhanced by the environment that surrounds it, rich in canyons and mountains. It is located on a plateau at the center of Jordan ( Find all the information about the Jordan here ), perhaps the safest country in the Middle East. Petra can be visited with a short Sightseeing, or in two days of spectacular walks on trails and stairs thousands of years. This second option obviously is by far preferable.
In fact, even if the most famous monument is the "treasure" in the "siq" (ie the "throat") that appears in the film "Indiana Jones and the last crusade", The wonderfully preserved ruins occupy a plus vast area. The only non-inviting part of Petra is the modern entrance to the site, both for architecture and because here is stripped of about 60 euros for the ticket. From the entrance it starts a ten-minute walk approach to the red rocky walls of Petra, in which it shows it precisely through the narrow and impressive siq throat. Suddenly the treasure appears, the legendary temple set in the rock.
Continuing along the throat, you arrive at a plain surrounded by red mountains and rich in nabatee ruins (and pure Roman). The Nabatei, Arabic population of Nomads, around 300 ahead Christ elected Petra to the center of trade in the area. The importance of the city continued in Roman times, to then compete to become a forgotten Bedouin village in the West. Rediscovered in the last two centuries, Petra is today a UNESCO heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the world. At the end of Siq, streets and paths branch off, including the walk to the monastery, the trekking of the sacrifice and the Route leading to the panoramic view of the temple. All rightly wonderful options: the photos speak for themselves.
The summer heat and winter cold potential, as well as the length of the day, make it propend to visit the site in spring. Petra is located in any case at 800 meters of altitude and the climate is dry, so even in August it is possible to walk, perhaps while sudden a little. The advantage is that very few people meet, especially in the afternoon. Admire certain panoramas in solitude, or in the company of the only Bedouins who attend the area, is exciting.
The ticket for two days costs an inexia in more than one for a day: it's worth it! Less interesting is the show (not available every night) of "Petra by Night": the vision of the site in light of lanterns is actually a more tourist than fascinating attraction. Much more beautiful, even if vaguely illegal, the idea of cinncichiare on the site until sunset and then get out of the tourists who entered the evening visit. Thus, you can admire the views in absolute peace, in the company of cute Bedouins, a few good friends and a pack of goats.
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