Petra is the archaeological city in Jordan famous for buildings carved into rose-colored rock.
The Nabataeans established Petra as a major settlement and trading centre, probably by the 4th century BCE. Its position between Arabia, Egypt and the Levant helped it prosper from caravan trade, especially in incense and spices.
The city is reached through the Siq, a narrow natural gorge that opens toward Al-Khazneh, commonly called the Treasury. Despite its famous façade, the Treasury was probably a monumental tomb rather than a royal storehouse. Petra also includes tombs, temples, a theatre and sophisticated water systems.
Rome annexed the Nabataean kingdom in 106 CE, after which Petra’s importance gradually declined. The site became widely known in Europe after Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt visited it in 1812. UNESCO listed Petra as a World Heritage Site in 1985.