The Siq gorge and Petra are among the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in Jordan. Here are some fun facts about them:
1. Natural Formation: The Siq is a narrow gorge, stretching about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles), that acts as the main entrance to the ancient city of Petra.
2. Technicolor Walls: The walls of the Siq display a stunning array of colors and formations due to the various minerals present, creating natural artwork.
3. Water Channels: Ancient Nabateans, the builders of Petra, ingeniously constructed water conduits along the Siq to provide water to the city.
4. Dramatic Introduction: As visitors approach the end of the Siq, they get their first breathtaking glimpse of Al-Khazneh (“The Treasury”), one of Petra’s most iconic structures.
5. Rose-Red City: Petra is often referred to as the “Rose-Red City” due to the color of the stone from which its structures are carved.
6. Hidden City: Petra remained unknown to the Western world until 1812 when it was rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.
7. Tombs and Temples: Petra is home to over 800 individual monuments, including buildings, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples, arched gateways, and colonnaded streets.
8. World Wonder: In 2007, Petra was declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
9. Popular in Pop Culture: Petra, particularly The Treasury, has featured in various films and TV shows. One of its most famous appearances is in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”
10. Archaeological Delights: Despite extensive archaeological efforts, it’s estimated that only about 15% of Petra has been uncovered. The majority of this ancient city remains underground, waiting to be explored.
Both the Siq and Petra serve as testimony to the architectural genius and tenacity of the Nabateans, and their ability to carve a flourishing civilization in the heart of the desert.
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