Nestled among a landscape strewn with rocky outcrops in the southern region of the Dead Sea, this ancient Arabian city was once the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom (4th century BC – 2nd century AD). 
Situated at the intersection of two caravan routes, it became an essential hub for the trade of Arabian incense, Indian spices, Chinese silk, Egyptian gold, ivory, and Nubian slaves.
From the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD was the peak period of Petra, marked by the construction of its earliest monuments. Incorporated into the Roman Empire in 106 AD, Petra experienced another glorious phase until the rise of alternative trade routes dealt a crippling blow to its economy. Subsequently, Christians settled in the city, and the Crusaders built fortifications that can still be seen today. Visitors approach Petra through a narrow canyon that stretches 2 kilometers: temples, tombs, and palaces carved into the pink sandstone cliffs create a stunning scene that blends Eastern traditions with Greco-Roman architectural styles.
Today, atmospheric conditions and erosion are damaging this remarkable site. Experts have come to study the causes of rock deterioration, and a photographic survey has been conducted. The World Heritage Committee recently provided funding to the Jordanian authorities to conserve Petra and restore the Royal Tombs. Petra was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1985.
