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- The ancient city of Petra in Jordan became one of the 7 New Wonders of the World when it was chosen in 2007 by a vote of 100 million people.
- The city's carved rose-red sandstone rock facades, tombs, and temples became known around the world with its appearance in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade in 1989.
- Ever since, Petra has become the most visited tourist attraction in Jordan and one of the most visited archeological sites in the world.
- I recently fulfilled a childhood dream to visit the archeological site during a trip to the Middle East. It was even more epic and awe-inspiring than I could imagine.
While only one of the ancient seven wonders of the world still stands - the Pyramids of Giza - 100 million people voted in 2007 to select a New Seven Wonders of the World.
Among the winners: the Great Wall of China, the Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Colosseum in Rome, and the Taj Mahal in India.
The seventh and final site was the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, unknown to much of the world before 1989. That year, the city's carved rose-red sandstone facades were featured in the blockbuster film Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
In the film, Petra stood in for where Indiana Jones finds the Holy Grail. I can recall being blown away, as a child, by the setting's grandeur and beauty. I have been dreaming of visiting it ever since.
Petra was the capital of the Nabatean Empire, an ancient Arab state that grew rich due to its control of the Spice Road, the main caravan trading route that brought spices, incense, and textiles from Arabia, Africa, and India to the West. The carved rock faces of Petra were a testament to the civilization's prosperity and grandeur that has lasted to the present day.
I recently got a chance to visit while on a trip to Israel. Petra is about a day's drive from Tel Aviv, Israel, making it the perfect weekend excursion.
Here's what the experience was like: