The Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan has been short-listed for the new seven wonders of the world. The original list included 200 sites; the short-list now stands at 21. The vote is being organized by a non-profit Swiss foundation called New7Wonders, which specializes in the preservation, restoration and promotion of monuments. The results of the voting will be announced on July 7, 2007, in Lisbon. Here’s how 7wonders describes Petra:
On the edge of the Arabian Desert, nestled away in the mountains south of the Dead Sea, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modeled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.
This is so wonderful. I just voted on-line. As part of the voting system you have to choose seven sites. In addition to Petra, I voted for Hagia Sophia and Alhambra, two places I visited and fell in love with as well. Come on guys, vote for Petra now.
The picture in this post was taken by the super-talented husband. It’s part of a Jordan photo album that can be viewed here.
Hat tip: [Jordanblogger]
Why are structures that can be easily created today such as Statue of liberty and Eiffel tower considered wonders of the world ?…i voted before and i voted again
I voted men zaman 😀
Last week I went to a very very very packed Annie Liebovitz book tour presentation at Politics and Prose – a fab. independent book store in Washington D.C. She did a slide presentation and mixed in with her uber-celebrity photos and personal family shots was a beaitiful picture she took of Susan Sontag at Petra!!
The top 21 are all worthy candidates. I have visited several on the list and the rest are on my to-do list of things to see before I die. The decision to choose 7 is a tough one, but I narrowed it down to the ones that are more ancient and mystical and didn’t have the luxery of relying on any “modern” engineering. My choices are: Acropolis, Angkor, Easter Island Statues, Great Wall, Petra, Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge.
Well deserved – actually comparing the Pyramids and Petra, Petra wins hands down every time. A hundred times more atmospheric and unlike at Giza, the touts are mercifully under some kind of control!
I’m voting for Petra, the fact that it’s ENGRAVED in this rocky mountain, rather than being built up by blocks adds to it being a wonder.
My votes go to:
Petra, Giza Pyramids (they’re just amazing), Taj Mahal, Alhambra, Acropolis, Kremlin, aaaand the Chichen Itza — it always amazes me! hehehe
If Petra wins, then I will have a strong motive to visit.
The Dome is a powerful symbol but architecturally it’s not all that. It contains a powerful religious connection for a specific group of people but not for all people. Its selection would be divisive. At least with Hagia you can point to its co-religious history and then to the point here, its architechture is stunning. Its selection wouldn’t be likely to cause a big backlash that would deter and obscure from the overall idea of this thing.
Petra’s an obvious winner, though despite being only about a 5-minute walk from the Hagia Sophia at the moment, I’m not sure it makes my top seven. What about the Dome of the Rock?
Helping Petra’s justifiable cause is the fact that so many lovely ladies around the world have been coincidentally named Petra. Name association can be a powerful tool.