Little Petra

Welcome to Siq al-Barid, affectionately and almost universally known to travelers as Little Petra. As you stand here at the very threshold of this ancient architectural marvel, prepare to embark on a journey that will transport…

We begin our detailed architectural examination on the very outskirts of the Little Petra complex, standing just outside before we even enter the main enclosed gorge. As you stand exactly here, scanning the vast, undulating…

We now transition from the bright, sunlit open desert and step directly into the shadowy entrance of the main complex, a narrow, towering passage known locally as the Siq. This specific geographical feature is exactly what gives…

As the narrow gorge finally begins to open up just slightly, we arrive at our first major architectural structure, deeply carved directly into the solid rock face on your left. This magnificent, perfectly geometric chamber is the…

As we continue walking deeper into the heart of the complex, I want you to direct your attention downward and closely examine the incredibly precise, highly engineered grooves and shallow troughs carved directly into the bedrock…

Just a short walk past the water channels, we arrive at the primary destination for all of that meticulously funneled rainwater. Here, often secured behind a locked iron gate or protective doorway, lies one of the most…

Moving just a bit further along the canyon floor, directly across from the great water cisterns, we encounter a fascinating, highly significant complex of three beautifully carved dining halls. However, it is one very specific,…

As we venture even deeper into the far reaches of the Siq al-Barid complex, the massive, carved chambers begin to take on a noticeably different, much more rugged and deeply mysterious character. Here, I want you to step fully…

As we continue our exploration near the back of the canyon, we inevitably encounter a fascinating, vibrant aspect of Little Petra that beautifully bridges the massive gap between the distant, ancient past and the immediate,…

We have finally reached the absolute deepest, farthest point of the Siq al-Barid complex. As the canyon walls completely close in tightly around us, our path forward is suddenly and dramatically blocked by a massive, towering…

As our comprehensive, highly detailed exploration of Little Petra slowly draws to a peaceful close, and we begin our quiet, reflective walk back out through the towering, shadowy walls of the Siq al-Barid, it is incredibly…