Idea #556 – Exploring the caravanserai of Little Petra in Siq al Barid
Siq al-Barid, more known under the name of Little Petra, is a caravanseral situated near Petra. It ensured the control of a part of the commercial ways, going out of the big nabatean city. Siq al Barid’s name made a reference to the freshness due to the high walls of canyons, which prevented the sunlight from penetrating into the gorge.
After a passage by a narrow gorge, particularly well fitted out on the defensive plan, you can discover a rather surprising place, dug in the rock. Several water tanks, reception rooms and accommodation, graves, storerooms, and at the end of one stone staircase with side of rock, a temple transformed into church by the Roman, which still carry vestiges of remarkable frescoes. These frescoes count birds, vineyards, flowers and some chubby angels. You will notice, as in the Siq de Petra, that numerous canals and gutters were fitted out along the cliff to collect waters in tanks.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Little Petra, Siq al Barid, Petra, Jordan
