The city of Petra is a mysterious ancient city located in the deserts of Arabia. The city draws attention with its flamboyant structures and history. It has 2200 years of history in a hidden canyon in Jordan. It was built by the Nabataeans BC on trade and caravan routes. The city, which was lost for many years, was rediscovered annually in the 8th century.
Known as Vadi Rum on the borders of Jordan, the harsh desert where the city is located is very similar to the surface of Mars in terms of its structure. Hidden among the mountains in the exotic desert, the giant city, which is not noticed at first glance, has been around as a legend for a long time. According to some, it is the place where Islam first spread, and according to others, it is the center of all religions. The city is among the Seven Wonders of the World.
Legends Told About the City of Petra
Petra means “Weeping City” in Arabic. According to the legend, they were destroyed because they did so much evil and were destroyed by great earthquakes. For this reason, it was found dangerous to go there due to the ominous nature of the city and the noise that can be heard from time to time, driving people crazy.
Hearing the legend of a lost city, Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt discovered it in 1812. He realized that Petra was like nowhere else. Neither he nor other archaeologists could believe that such an extraordinary city could be built by a people who lived in BC. It is still a mystery how a community, usually engaged in animal husbandry, could build such a complex structure in the deserts of Saudi Arabia.
There are dams, waterways, underground tunnels, amphitheaters, labyrinths built by stone masters in the city. There is the Temple of Al-Hazna, which is the height of a 10-storey apartment building. Its construction was made not from the bottom up, but from the top down, and the king’s tomb was hidden under it.
The Qiblas of the Mosques Overlook the City of Petra
Petra was used as a pilgrimage center by the Arabs during its time. The Kaaba is the holy place we know today and is considered the center of Islam. In fact, the Kaaba culture is also very common among pre-Islamic Arabs. 26 different Kaabas known in Arabia are still standing. Objects that were considered sacred in ancient times were placed in a building built in the center of the city and worshiped around it.
There is also a Kaaba in the city of Petra, one of the most important temples of the ancient Arab world. There are inscriptions carved on the walls by pagan Arabs who came to Petra thousands of years ago to become pilgrims. The names of known Arab idols such as Lat, Menat, and Uzza are also found on the walls of Petra.
In the most recent discovery, it has been determined that the qiblas of the mosques, which were built until 800 and have survived to the present day, face Petra. None of its qiblas face the Kaaba in Mecca or Jerusalem. Even the qibla of the famous Dome of the Rock mosque in Jerusalem faces Petra. Not only mosques, but also very old churches and synagogues were built facing Petra.
Did the Elephant Incident in the Qur’an Occur in the City of Petra?
In an incident mentioned in the Qur’an, it is told that the elephant owners attacked the Kaaba. But it is almost impossible for elephants to come to Mecca. Elephants have never been found in the Arabian Peninsula. Archaeologically or geographically, there is no trace of acts in Arabia. An elephant needs 1.5 to 2 tons of water per day to survive. In Saudi Arabia, where water resources are scarce, it is impossible for elephants to exist and travel for months. However, there are some elephant depictions on the walls of Petra.
While Alexander the Great was advancing towards India, he sent his soldiers on an expedition to Petra with an army of elephants in Iran. When the army besieging the city with elephants attacked, Alexander the Great died of malaria. When the news came, the siege was lifted and the army returned. Alexander was born in 356 BC. Petra is a big and important city when he conquers these lands. It is quite plausible that he would send an army of elephants here. There is also a statue of Alexander the Great in Petra.
Arab, British and American archaeologists and historians argue that the elephant incident described in the Qur’an took place in the city of Petra, not in Mecca. In fact, Ibn Hisham and Ibn Ishaq, who are accepted from important Islamic sources, wrote that the events took place in Petra.
In the city of Petra, there is a tomb accepted by Jews and Muslims. According to belief, this tomb is the tomb of Prophet Aaron, the brother of Prophet Moses. While escaping from the persecution of the Pharaoh, the Jews took refuge in this hidden city and lived here for a while. In the Torah, it is told that the Prophet Moses lived in the desert for 40 years with the Jews who followed him. Maybe that place to live in the desert is the mysterious city of Petra.
