Petra, the ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-colored rock, is in Jordan.
Petra lies in southern Jordan, in a basin surrounded by mountains. Its most famous façade, the Treasury, was carved directly into sandstone, although the building was probably a tomb rather than a treasury. The city’s approach passes through the Siq, a narrow natural gorge.
The Nabataeans made Petra a major trading center between Arabia, the Levant, and the Mediterranean. Petra later came under Roman rule and was gradually abandoned after changing trade routes and earthquakes reduced its importance. It is sometimes mistaken for a purely Egyptian monument because of its monumental appearance, but its principal ancient culture was Nabataean. Petra became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.