Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Israel & Petra

34 ❯❯ Top 10 Israel and Petra Highlights

The Siq, Petra

The deep, narrow gorge known as the Siq provides a supremely
dramatic entrance to Petra. All but impervious to sunlight, it twists
imperceptibly downward, until suddenly it opens onto a bright
square. On the other side stands the Treasury in all its glory. Since
ancient times, the Siq has led traders and travelers into the heart
of this Nabataean world. Modern-day explorers start in the town of
Wadi Musa, from where a road leads through Bab al-Siq (“Gateway
to the Siq”), a valley flanked by sandstone cliffs. In the Siq itself,
the walls are pocked with votive niches, a prelude to the tombs
and sculptures carved out of Petra's rock faces by the Nabataeans.
Visitor Center
NEED TO KNOW 1
As well as selling
MAP C3 • 28 Wadi entry tickets, the Visitor
Musa, Jordan • (00962) Center provides maps
321 57093 • www. and brochures and
visitpetra.jo arranges licensed tour
Open summer: 6am– guides in various lan­
6pm, winter: 6am–4pm guages. A shop at the
center sells Jordanian
• Horse carriages make handi crafts and gifts,
the 2-mile (4-km) round some made by a local
trip from the entrance women’s organization.
to the Treasury along
the Siq and can be Water
arranged in advance; 2
Channels
horses and camels are
also available for short The Nabataeans were
rides around the site. highly skilled hydraulic
engineers, and devised
• All payments are only sophisticated systems
in Jordanian dinars; for water conservation
cards are not accepted. and flood prevention.
• Several shaded drink The Siq has two water
stands are dotted channels that are fed
around the site. by springs and supply
• Many movies, including Petra with water.
Indiana Jones and the Obelisk Tomb
Last Crusade and The 3
Mummy Returns, have This tomb stands
been filmed at Petra. above the Triclinium and
displays clear Egyptian
influences in the four
massive obelisks (below)
that line its front.
Nabataean
4 MUSA
WADI
Pavements
Paving stones were laid
along the Siq, probably
in the 1st century AD. An
extensive section can be Wadi M usa
found in the gorge near
the Niche Monument.

Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
Three-column, 8.25pt grid “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.5)
034-035_Top_10_Israel.indd 34 19/06/2017 12:58
Date 12th May 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm