"Chiseled out of reddish Nubian sandstone, the physical landscape of Petra evokes Nabataean times. Abandoned tombs and stone rubble covering the flanks of the s that were once residences or public buildings, are hidden in the great rift mountains overlooking the Wādī ‘Arabah — they all speak eloquently of the bustling city of Petra that used to be and is now a spectacular architectural wonder, and recently elected one of the ."