The Iconic Treasury in Petra, Jordan
Petra, and Jordan, is without question one of our favourite places on earth. It’s one of those truly spectacular, awe-inspiring destinations that left us speechless. We’ve tried to describe its magnificence, detail and enormity but words simply cannot give it proper justice.
As a recent addition to the NEW Seven Wonders of the World, Petra has steadily become one of the world’s most recognized landmarks, hanging out with the heavyweights like the Great Pyramids of Giza and the lost Incan city Machu Picchu.
What many people don’t realize is that Petra is much, much more than just the Treasury, which seems to get all of the attention and has become the staple postcard picture of Jordan (and with good reason!).
Petra is massive. It’s spread over several kilometres and is made up of hundreds of caves, tombs and monuments carved out of sandstone cliffs and canyons. You can literally spend weeks hiking and exploring the rocky terrain and never walk the same path twice!
This photo illustrates “the other side” of the historical city. The majority of photos you’ll like find on the internet strategically eliminate the eyesore tourist machine to the left of the fascinating Treasury. We actually find the irony quite humorous.
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Cameron and Nicole Wears are Canadian married couple and newbie parents living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. A passion for travel and outdoor adventure has taken them to over 50 countries on 6 continents in the past 7 years. Consider following us via 
You know, I had seen a photo just the other day of Petra that made me wonder if it had been “all touristed out”… because you’re right, all other pictures conveniently leave out the eyesore. Yet another place on my list that I falsely believed to be a sight to see, and yet somehow not oft traveled. Oh well, I’ll get in line with everyone else I suppose. =)
Thanks for sharing!
Dan
Dan Thompson recently posted..One bad treatment left
Hi Dan, don’t let the tourist booth scare you off. Petra is enormous and is a must if you like historical sites. It really does live up to its hype!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Things to do in Dublin- Ireland
GIFT SHOP! Oh yeah. And one of the most fascinating and historical places on planet earth is here too.
It’s like mustard and ketchup… no? It’s funny that its called the Treasury, seeing that it brings in massive tourist dollars!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week- The Irony of the Treasury- Petra
Oh, brilliant! You could probably do a whole series of photos like this from all over the world: The iconic image we all know from travel magazines vs. the same image at a bit more of a wide angle, where you can see the McDonalds next door and the hawkers selling cheap baubles.
Gray recently posted..Hotel de la Porte Doree- Just Right
Yes – you absolutely could! I found this one particularily odd because you reach the Treasury after about 30 minutes of walking through the Siq (old river caynon path). There were many better places to put the gift shop, but i guess this one comes with a great view!
Traveling Canucks recently posted..Photo of the Week- The Irony of the Treasury- Petra
I’d have to agree! I do love the gift shop in this photo. You can not really go anywhere nowadays without some sort or “touristy” feel can you?
Dave and Deb recently posted..20 Best Moments in Travel of 2010
You really can’t! At least not when it comes to the mega attractions.
I have love-hate relationship with gift shops/cafes and what not so close to a major historical sights. Sometimes they can be so welcoming during hot days, especially if a trek is somewhat involved to get there. But here in Indonesia, sometimes they become the source of the trash that litter the area… (well, actually it’s the visitors… but they buy snacks and drinks from the shops).
Thanks for the pic of the ‘other side’ of Petra
Jill – Jack and Jill Travel The World recently posted..Can You Ever Go Home Again
Great post! You guys are getting me even more excited for my trip to Jordan and Egypt next week! Petra looks amazing
At first I am thinking that it is a museum, I never imagine that Petra is such a nice place, you really add something to my plans in traveling I really appreciate this.thanks to you.
Kate Brown Wilson recently posted..דיוור אלקטרוני
I love treasures of antiquity like this. So far I’ve only gone around Italy (though it’s not like that means I haven’t seen many, cause Italy is chock-full of them), but Petra and the Pyramids of Egypt are on my list. Too bad both areas became a little unstable this year, but hopefully it’ll be travel-friendly again soon.
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