Page 104 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Israel & Petra

102 ❯❯ Israel and Petra Area by Area

Petra

This spectacular Nabataean city was hewn out of
red-rock mountains and sandstone gorges. The
carved tombs and temples of one of the world’s
most atmospheric ancient sites have sparked
travelers’ imaginations since the city's rediscovery
in 1812. Built between the 3rd century BC and
the 1st century AD, Petra became the capital
of a vast trading empire. The Romans annexed
it in AD 106; later, the Byzantines built churches
here; even the Crusaders passed through.
Known as the “rose-red city,” it has monumental Archeological
façades that reflect the swirls of color that pattern Museum relief
the surrounding hills and valleys. The hiking here is excellent, with
peripheral peaks, altars, and tombs offering greater challenges.
High Place of Sacrifice
1
MAP C3
This is the best preserved of Petra’s
sacrificial places, and is where
animals and birds were sacrificed.
At the summit, two 20-ft (6-m) free-
standing stone obelisks have been
hewn out of the rock. Nearby is the
High Place itself, demarcated by a
large courtyard with a squat offering
table. Steps lead to the main altar, with
a rectangular indentation in the top.
The adjacent round altar has a channel
leading to a basin, possibly used for
High Place of Sacrifice draining away sacrificial blood.
PETRA

4 miles
(6 km)
Wadi Abu Ullaydqa
Jebel Umm Wadi El-Mataha
Zaytuna

Jebel
COLONNADED STREET
El-Khubtha
Petra Forum
Hotel
Jebel
EL-Quray ST R E ET OF FACADES Wadi Musa
Niche
Monument
0 meters 800 Obelisk
Tomb
0 yards 800

Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
Two-column, 8.5pt grid “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v.1.9)
102-105_Top_10_Israel.indd 102 19/06/2017 12:58
Date 24th June 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm