The Treasury is justifiably known as the most famous Petra monument and little has changed since it was first discovered. (More description on the return visit to Petra, 1996 follows.) But there are several other standouts in the incredible rock-cut architecture. These were (and are) a few of our memorable, and “favorite sights and things.”

- Bought “old” little oil lamps, supposedly dug up by the Bedouins (possibly made yesterday) and sold to tourists (us) and little bottles filled with decorated sand. …View image…

- Took time to sit and talk with the many Bedouins drinking tea and relaxing throughout Petra.

a small Petra restaurant in 1989, Jordan
- Hiked up to the “High Place of Sacrifice” – a steep 30-minute climb from the Theater …View image… on the summit of Attuf Ridge. Paths and eroded stairways on the original Nabatean procession way led up until we reached the summit. Either the Edomites or Nabateans leveled the rock to form a courtyard with benches facing the altar platform on which animal sacrifices were made. At least we hoped that only animals sacrifices took place here, Just in case they didn’t, Steve offered himself up…

A Petra human sacrifice in Jordan 

on the way up to the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra, Jordan
The views from the High Place are beyond stunning and none of the photos in any of the Petra posts have been retouched or colorized. These are the natural colors! Both of us just sat awestruck at this colorful panorama…View image… After tearing us away, the guide led us down a different path to the city center and into Wadi Farasa, a small side wadi. The monument of interest here is the Lion Triclinium with its two badly eroded lions carved on either side of the doorway. Water possibly spouted from the Lion’s mouths to be carried down the hill through a rock-cut channel along the stairway. Lions were associated with the goddess Al-Uzza by the Nabateans.

Lion carving in Petra, Jordan.
Past another small restaurant run by Bedouins and started another climb up 800 rock-cut stairs to Al-Deir, The Monastery, The Monastery name comes from the thinking that this structure may have been used by Christians in the Byzantine period. The Monastery is cut into the mountainside and has a doorway over 8m/26′ high. This temple/tomb had no decoration but was undoubtedly an important pilgrimage site with a processional way ending in front.

The Monastery, Al-Deir, in Petra, Jordan
Much, much more…and, hopefully, all the Petra photos tells you why we couldn’t wait to return…
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