Ma'an in southern Jordan

Ma'an Governorate lies in southern Jordan and is the country's largest governorate by area. Its area is estimated at around 32,832 km²—about 37 percent of Jordan's total area. This scale conveys the breadth of the region; by contrast, Petra brings a specific archaeological landscape into focus. To get your bearings, it is helpful to shift between the vast governorate and the specific site of Petra.

Petra: a rocky landscape and archaeological heritage

The Petra Archaeological Park is located in Wadi Musa and encompasses rose-coloured rocky mountains. At its heart is the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, carved into the rock more than 2,000 years ago. Here, the rock is both landscape and the medium for the city's architecture. Petra can therefore be viewed from two perspectives: as the park's landscape and as a city carved into the rock.

The archaeological heritage includes extensive tomb and temple architecture, as well as religious sanctuaries. These terms refer to different aspects: tomb architecture points to burial structures, while temples and sanctuaries are religious spaces. For those interested in archaeology, this offers a view of different building purposes at one site—from funerary architecture to religious buildings and places of worship.

Water engineering as another perspective

The water systems are another subject of interest. Archaeological remains include channels, tunnels and diversion dams, as well as cisterns and water reservoirs. These groups can be distinguished by their function: channels, tunnels and dams were used to carry or divert water, while cisterns and reservoirs were used to store it. Alongside the city's form and religious architecture, this adds a technical perspective. Those interested in built solutions can consider Petra's water systems as a distinct aspect of the archaeological ensemble.

Petra is a protected area within the Petra Archaeological Park, which is administered by Jordan's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Petra and the park are not interchangeable names: the protected area lies within the administered park framework.

A wider look at Jordan

Elsewhere in Jordan, the Baptism Site of Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas) offers another religious point of reference. For the majority of Christian denominations, it is regarded as the place where Jesus of Nazareth was baptised by John the Baptist. The site comprises two archaeological areas: Tell el-Kharrar, also known as Jabal Mar Elias, and the area of the Churches of St John the Baptist. Generations of monks, hermits, pilgrims and priests stayed there and visited the site; evidence of their religious activities dates from the 4th to the 15th century AD. Access is controlled through a single entrance; designated paths are used for visitor tours and pilgrim processions. As visitor regulations may change, check the current official guidance before travelling.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ar Rajif, Wadi Musa, Ajloun, Kerak, Aqaba, Irbid Governorate, Balqa Governorate, Mafraq Governorate.

Go to the main travel overview: Jordan.