Al-Baydha, Jordan
Coordinates: 30.375158, 35.451504
Little Petra , also known as Siq al-Barid (the cold canyon) is an archaeological site located north of Petra and the town of Wadi Musa in the Ma’an Governorate of Jordan.
Like Petra, it was probably built during the height of Nabataean influence during the 1st century C.E. While the purpose of some of the buildings is not clear, archaeologists believe that the whole complex was a suburb of Petra, the Nabatean capital, meant to house visiting traders on the Silk Road.
After the decline of the Nabataeans, it fell vacant, used only by Bedouin nomads, for centuries. Along with neighboring Beidha, Little Petra was excavated in the later 20th century by Diana Kirkbride and Brian Byrd.
People doesn’t know the Little Petra is older than Petra. Everything was started here on this place.
Like Petra, it is a Nabataean site, with buildings carved into the walls of the sandstone canyons.
As its name suggests, it is much smaller, consisting of three wider open areas connected by a 450-metre (1,480 ft) canyon.
It is often visited by tourists in conjunction with Petra itself, since it is free and usually less crowded.
The little Petra is super quiet compared to the other popular parts of the archeological site.
Highlight of Little petra is the painted Biclinium. But the deteriorated steps made it hard for some people to get there and see the paints.
Know This
It’s free of cost and you get to see the smaller version of the Treasury. You will need good shoes in case you decide to go further. It is kind of slippery but worth it.
