Colonnaded Street | Petra

Information

Landmark: Colonnaded Street
City: Petra
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Colonnaded Street, Petra, Jordan, Asia

The Colonnaded Street is the primary thoroughfare of ancient Petra, serving as the civic and commercial heart of the city. It runs through the center of the valley, connecting the area near the Royal Tombs to the Temenos Gate and Qasr al-Bint.

Visual Characteristics

The street is a paved road approximately 6 meters wide, surfaced with original sandstone slabs. It is flanked by rows of sandstone columns with classical capitals, many of which have been re-erected. The path is bordered by the remains of shops, a nymphaeum (public fountain), and grand staircases leading to elevated temple complexes.

Location & Access Logistics

The street is situated approximately 3 kilometers from the Petra Visitor Center. It is accessed by walking through the Siq, passing the Treasury, and continuing past the Theater and Royal Tombs into the central valley. The path is flat and open, suitable for pedestrians and the park's electric carts.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Originally constructed by the Nabataeans in the late 1st century BC, the street was significantly refurbished following the Roman annexation of Petra in 106 AD. It functioned as a major artery for the city's trade-based economy, designed to accommodate heavy foot traffic and merchant caravans.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can walk the length of the street to observe the scale of Nabataean and Roman urban planning. Key points of interest include the ruins of the Nymphaeum at the eastern end and the monumental staircases of the Upper Market. Photography provides wide-angle views of the surrounding mountains and temples.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The street is fully exposed to the sun with no overhead cover. High-speed 4G cellular signal is available throughout the valley floor. The Basin area at the western end of the street provides the park's primary restaurant facilities, restrooms, and shaded rest areas.

Best Time to Visit

The street is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat, as there is no shade along the route. For photography, the late afternoon sun illuminates the columns and the surrounding red sandstone cliffs, providing high-contrast lighting.

Facts & Legends

Excavations have revealed that a sophisticated subterranean drainage system runs beneath the paving stones, designed by Nabataean engineers to manage flash floods and redirect water into cisterns-a critical technology for a city in an arid desert environment.