Photograph by Annie Griffiths Belt
Petra’s heyday ended when the Romans rerouted trade in the second century A.D., sending the city into a long decline. In a fifth-century Byzantine church archaeologists found detailed mosaics.
—From “Petra: Ancient City of Stone,” December 1998, National Geographic magazine
Jordan Features
Perched on the edge of the Arabian Desert, the stunning stone city of Petra echoes with mysteries of the past.
The preservation of this World Heritage Site in Jordan is being put at risk as more and more tourists flock to this ancient city of stone.
Browse by region, country, genre, or artist to watch music videos and download MP3s from around the globe. Listen to the world with Nat Geo Music.
advertisement
We received over 12,000 entries, and over 28,000 votes were cast. Find out who takes home the Grand Prize!
Eighteen percent of the world's population can't get safe drinking water. Test your water knowledge.
Download fresh wallpaper every day.
Use our crisp, clean black-and-white maps—perfect for reports and other projects
Visit the National Geographic online store for DVDs, books, travel gear, fun games, and much more.
Listen to the World Nat Geo Music connects you with hundreds of artists of different styles from around the globe.
Travel with some of the most prominent specialists in the world.
