Petra (from the Greek "rock") was the religious capital of the Nabataeans, an ancient civilization that mastered much of what is now Jordan.
Petra, a huge complex of carved buildings, tombs and markets, was built around the 6th century BC. In its heyday, the city served as an international hub at the intersection of important trade routes.
In the mid-1980s, Petra was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and in 2007 was considered one of the 7 "new wonders of the world".
