Petra

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The ruins of Petra, in today's Jordan, constitute one of the most extraordinary and fascinating monumental complexes of the ancient world for the outstanding quality of the architecture and for the city's remarkable position, set amidst rugged hills and narrow gorges. The color of the rock from which the buildings were hewn adds further charm to the whole. The ancient Nabatean capital is without doubt one of the marvels of the world, a place that will captivate even the most hardened traveler. Full of practical information, splendid photographs, and dozens of plans and reconstruction drawings, this guidebook will serve as a precious aid to those preparing to visit this fascinating and vast archaeological site. From the fantastic Khasneh to the gigantic Deir, from the spectacular Urn Tomb to the mysterious Temple of the Winged Lions, every monument is described in detail and examined in relation to the complex historical and artistic events of the Rose-red City, the evolution of which is analyzed at length in the introductory chapter. Petra is not unique for its architecture alone. Here, Mother Nature has achieved one of her most original creations, defying her very own rules, laid down at the beginning of time - improbable geometry, unbelievable colors, contrasts that would by unthinkable elsewhere. The illustrations in this book pay tribute to this splendor and make it a work of rare emotional impact.