7Petra, Jordan
The ancient city of Petra, located in present-day Jordan, is often referred to as the “Rose City” due to the pink hue of the sandstone cliffs into which it was carved. This UNESCO World Heritage site, once the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom, is a stunning example of rock-cut architecture. Petra’s most famous structure, the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), with its intricate façade, is carved directly into the rock face and is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Visitors must pass through the narrow Siq canyon, which dramatically opens up to reveal the grandeur of the Treasury. The beauty of Petra lies not only in its architecture but also in its striking desert landscape, which has preserved this ancient wonder for over two millennia.
