The Al Siq in Petra, Jordan

*WS58 – the Al Siq in Petra, Jordan*

There is a slot canyon in Jordan too. 

Petra was an historical city in southern Jordan, now in ruins. In the 4th century BC it was a major trading hub and the capital city of an Arabic kingdom. Its importance started to decline as sea trade routes emerged, and after a 363 earthquake which destroyed many structures it died a natural death. It was re-discovered by the Europeans only in the early 19th century. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Jordan, their main tourist attraction.

We were here in 2009. The city is accessed through a 1.2 km road from the east. On the initial part of the access there is a section called Al Siq (meaning “the shaft”), about 160 m, which is a slot canyon similar to the  Antelope Canyon, The width of the corridor is about 3 to 10 m while the height of the cliff up to 80 m. 1st and 2nd photos. The 3rd and 4th photos show the clear stratification of the rock layers.

The slot canyon ends at a big square, 5th photo. Located here is the most impressive structure called the “Treasury”, the 6th photo. This structure is only a façade, no “body” at all. The 7th photo shows the rock wall nearer to the city center. There are many ancient graves and also cave dwellings on the rock faces. 

The 1.2 km one-way walk on a hot sunny day was quite energy sapping. Some older tourists chose to take a donkey ride on the way out. The aunty in the 8th photo commented after the ride, “this is the most horrifying 30 minute ride I ever have. The donkey is swaying so much and the ride so uneven like I am going to fall down any second”.

(2009 digital photo, blurry a bit)