Petra really should be designated the Eighth Wonder of the World! The ancient city in Jordan was carved out of red rock in 7,000 B.C. The Nabateans lived there for centuries, their unique position overlooking Wadi Rum and surrounding valleys ideal for keeping intruders at bay.
From 400 B.C. to 106 A.D., Petra thrived and prospered as the Nabataean capital. The Nabataeans developed an enterprising system of pipes and channels that not only carried drinking water into the city, but reduced the chance of flash floods. In 106 A.D. the Romans annexed Petra and its reputation as a trading center began to fade. Then the Byzantines occupied Petra, until earthquakes and economic woes contributed to instability. By 700 A.D., the Byzantine Empire, Petra's hydraulic system and the once magnificent buildings had eroded. Petra disappeared from many maps and was known chiefly through folklore. (Zohrab photo of Treasury, above).
It wasn't until the 19th century that Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt, disguised as a Muslim trader, stumbled upon Petra and announced its presence to the world. The Bedouin tribal families who once lived in caves in Petra and in areas surrounding the city have been relocated to Jordanian government-sponsored housing. Preservation efforts to safeguard Petra and its ancient artifacts continue, as extensive archeological excavations uncover more of the long-lost city. Petra remains a popular tourist destination; if you have the opportunity, it's a must-see!
This week's Poetry Thursday suggestion was to take a field trip and write or find poetry related to that trip. While that wasn't possible this week, I have taken a few field trips to Petra. Along with some wonderful memories, English cleric Dean Burgon's poem Petra has stayed with me:
"It seems no work of man’s creative hand
By labor wrought as wavering fancy planned;
But from the rock as if by magic grown
Eternal, silent, beautiful alone!
"Not virgin-white like that old Doric shrine,
Where erst Athena held her nights divine;
Not saintly-grey, like many a minster fane,
That crowns the hill and consecrates the plain,
"But rose red as if the blush of dawn
That first beheld them were not yet withdrawn.
The hues of youth upon a brow of woe,
which Man deemed old two thousand years ago,
"Match me such a marvel, save in Eastern clime,
A rose-red city half as old as Time."
My name is Petra and I will visit this beautiful city one day. Until then, at least i've still got the poem. I am so lucky to have such a great name!
Posted by: petra | 04 June 2006 at 02:30
Both the poem and the photos make me want to hop on a plane and go see for myself!!
Posted by: DebR | 20 May 2006 at 02:11
What a beautiful poem and description. I love the whole idea of history in your post and what an amazing task to sit there in the flesh. I am humbly jealous.
Posted by: Shannon (Sentimental) | 19 May 2006 at 13:34
The first stanza describes its beauty so well - it does appear to magically grow from the rocks themselves. What an amazing experience it must be to see this wonder in person! Thank you for sharing some of its magical presence.
Posted by: tinker | 19 May 2006 at 09:27
what an awesome photo - the light has a spiritual quality and the poem is perfect for this one! Thanks for sharing this one.
Posted by: Maureen/Ravengrrl | 19 May 2006 at 06:36
Merci bien Tara...your posts are always so facinating and poetic (even when it isn't a Thursday :-)
Posted by: susan | 19 May 2006 at 00:49
This was a very special treat! The pictures, history and poem were awesome!
Posted by: Tammy | 19 May 2006 at 00:09
Thanks for this wonderful journey through photos and words. Truly spectacular and inspiring. Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Kim G. | 18 May 2006 at 23:50
Petra looks wonderful - what a privilege to have been there. I liked the poem too. Thanks for visiting me today
Posted by: Catherine | 18 May 2006 at 22:42
such beauty, the golden glow, your words, I can feel it thourgh your eyes!
Posted by: tongue_in_cheek_antiques | 18 May 2006 at 20:47
Yes, it should be the 8the wonder of the world. I try to picture the way it must have been, with life, and people, and movement.
Edward Lear had an Albanian cook who saw the world in terms of food, and when they visited Petra, he described it as salmon- (and other food, I forget) colored.
Posted by: Colette | 18 May 2006 at 20:09
I love the line "rose red as if the blush of dawn /
That first beheld them were not yet withdrawn".
A beautiful poem and even more beautiful place!
Posted by: tracey | 18 May 2006 at 19:26
Amazing photos!! I am pondering how they completed this task without blueprints; how many workers; what it took to be included on 'the crew'
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 18 May 2006 at 16:00
Gorgeous photos and words. Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: jennifer | 18 May 2006 at 15:46
it still amazes me how such large, grand structures were built at a time when they knew none of the modern technology that we have today. and it seems, despite our advanced tools, there has been few creations that come close to the majesty of these ancient monuments.
Posted by: paradise | 18 May 2006 at 04:45
Wow, thanks for sharing this - it's wonderful you were able to go there and experience it in person. And I love how you've posted a poem about it too!
Posted by: Kara | 18 May 2006 at 04:41
WOW! Would you look at that! The world is so full of the kind of treasures people just can't even imagine. How wonderful that you have! It is stunning. I can imagine how i would just want to stand and touch it, and think about all the years it has stood. Makes one feel small...
:)
Posted by: amber | 18 May 2006 at 03:31
Wow wow wow wow. I've always wanted to go there. So spectacular! And I can't even wrap my brain around 7000 BC. Can it be? Doesn't seem possible! I'd also love to visit those rock-cut churches in Ethiopia some day. I can't think of the name right now -- do you know of them? I think the legends say they were cut by angels because nobody can figure out any other way they could have been made.
Posted by: Laini | 18 May 2006 at 02:53
My one regret about the time I spent in Israel was that I did not get to Jordan. Reading this post is a teensy bit of salt in the wound, but thats okay! Hopefully you have inspired me and others to make it there at some point in our lives!
Posted by: Alexandra | 18 May 2006 at 02:43
"the rock as if by magic grown" is such an apt description.
A few years ago we went to the Cincinnati Art Museum to see a travelling exhibit of the Lost City of Petra. It was stunning.
What I remember the most is that historians believe that originally the city was all brightly colored-- not the stony, dusty look we see today. It absolutely fascinated me.
Posted by: ally bean | 18 May 2006 at 01:56
Madre de Dios - the mind boggles. Such a place!
Posted by: AnnieElf | 18 May 2006 at 01:14