Petra: A Timeless Wonder
Today, we are going to a place that must be seen at least once before you die. A place that will take you thousands of years back, to a land of fairy tales, beyond your wildest dreams. Just like the saying, “I read a book, and my life changed”, this is a place where you can say, “I traveled here, and my entire world changed.” Welcome to Petra!
Much like the other sacred temples revered by civilizations throughout history, it is highly likely that you will feel a similar sense of awe here. It feels as though you have stepped out of the world and into another time. Passing through a narrow valley path, you disconnect from the modern world, and suddenly, you find yourself on this red planet, embarking on a journey through time. This place was considered sacred by the local people for centuries and was kept hidden from outsiders. As a result, it remained closed off from the outside world until the 1800s.
There are legends suggesting that, in ancient times, people traveled here to study the mystical arts. Even today, whispers persist that some still believe in these legends and visit Petra for that very reason. One story claims that the cave where Harut and Marut were imprisoned is also located here.
The Lost City of Petra
Petra is a historical city in the southwest of the Kingdom of Jordan, nestled among rugged desert canyons and mountains. Once a thriving trade center, it served as the capital of the Nabataean Empire from around 400 BCE to 106 CE. However, due to earthquakes and other unknown factors, the city was abandoned and forgotten. For centuries, it lay in ruins, nearly lost to time, until it was rediscovered in the early 1800s by Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt.
The breathtaking sandstone city of Petra was built by the Nabataeans in the 3rd century BCE, who carved palaces, temples, tombs, storage rooms, and stables into the soft rock cliffs. These master builders were skilled in hydraulic engineering and metallurgy, utilizing iron and copper while controlling trade routes from Damascus to Arabia. Petra became increasingly wealthy through the taxes imposed on caravans passing through Nabataean lands.
A powerful earthquake in 555 CE is believed to have contributed to the city's decline. Fortunately, many of Petra’s most magnificent structures remained intact, transforming it into a hidden treasure trove of architectural wonders, accessible through trails of varying lengths and difficulty.
The Journey to Al-Khazneh
Reaching Petra’s most iconic landmark, Al-Khazneh (The Treasury), requires a several-kilometer walk through a canyon. This path is actually a fissure created by tectonic forces in the rock. Just when you start to feel as if the path has no end, a breathtaking sight emerges before you—the majestic Treasury, Petra’s most famous monument.
Originally carved into the sandstone as a tomb, Al-Khazneh got its name from a local legend that an Egyptian pharaoh hid his treasure in the urn at the top. The structure is a masterpiece of Greek-style columns, intricate carvings, and flawless stone craftsmanship.
Beyond Al-Khazneh, the path leads to an amphitheater with over 40 tombs. Despite being weathered over time, this theater, with a capacity of 7,000 people, still stands in all its grandeur. From here, an expansive open area unfolds before your eyes—Petra, a true open-air museum. Tourists, camels, and everything else shrink into the vastness of the scenery, with an overwhelming silence and a golden-orange hue dominating the landscape.
Petra is home to countless tombs and caves. It is believed that around 30,000 people once lived here, and it served as a major stop for trade caravans. The city is so vast that exploring it in a single day is quite challenging. For this reason, many tourists opt for horses, camels, or carriages to navigate the area.
Petra in Modern Times
In 1985, Petra Archaeological Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2007, it was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Additionally, Petra gained global fame in 1989 as the filming location for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Fans of the Indiana Jones series will remember that he is an archaeologist on a quest for hidden treasures, battling villains while safeguarding these precious relics. With its dazzling scenery and rich history, Petra was the perfect setting for the film, further cementing its status as an iconic destination.
Jordan: A Kingdom of Contrasts
Jordan is a small kingdom in the Middle East. Although a significant portion of the country is desert, its high altitude means that winters can be quite cold, with snowfall in some regions. This beautiful country is perhaps best known for its King and Queen. The people hold Queen Rania in particularly high regard, and her image can be seen throughout the country.
As I mentioned at the beginning—just like a book that changes your life, this is a place that will transform your entire perspective. Wishing that you, too, will one day experience the magic of Petra!
The Legend of Harut and Marut
Looking back through history, Harut and Marut appear in the mythologies of the Akkadians, Sumerians, and Persians. They are also mentioned in the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran. According to belief, these two angels were sent to Babylon to teach humans the secrets of magic.
One legend states that when humans began to stray from righteousness and commit sins, the angels remarked, “If we were in the human world, we would never do such things.” In response, God told them, “If I were to give you human desires, you would commit even greater sins.” To test them, He sent Harut and Marut to Earth.
There, they were deceived by a woman named Zuhra, whose beauty captivated them. She presented them with three conditions: they had to either kill her husband, worship an idol, or drink alcohol. Thinking that drinking would be the least harmful option, the angels chose alcohol. However, after becoming intoxicated, they lost control and not only killed her husband but also succumbed to all of her demands.
During this time, the woman tricked the angels into revealing Ism-e Azam, the sacred prayer used to ascend to heaven. She recited it and rose to the sky, where God placed her among the stars—later naming one after her, the planet Venus (Zuhre Yıldızı).
As for Harut and Marut, they were condemned to hang upside down until the Day of Judgment. It is still believed by some that those who find them and accept the fate of eternal damnation can learn the secrets of magic.
(Sources: Wikipedia – Petra, Wikipedia – Harut and Marut)
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