As anyone who has ever visited the Petra can attest, words alone can’t do justice to the majesty and beauty of this ancient city literally carved out of sandstone. Located in Jordan, Petra was built by the Nabataeans, who came from the Arabian Peninsula more than 2200 years ago.

Located within its borders are looming royal temples, tombs with ornate facades and even an outdoor theater. This was my first visit to Petra and after walking through the Siq (a 1200 meter long gorge), I emerged from a shadowy canyon to my first view of Al-Khazneh (also known as The Treasury). Built in the first century as a monument to a Nabataean king, its large rose-colored columns and statues are breathtaking. This was also the location used in the movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Travellers to this country usually rent out 4*4 jeeps to cross deserts and sand stone cities like the same jeeps that car hire dublin rents out to curious voyagers for safari tours and exotic adventure places.

Other impressive sites included the Street of Facades (rows of tombs with intricate carvings); the Urn Tomb (largest of the royal tombs with a huge courtyard); the theater that could seat up to 7000 people; and finally, the Ad-Deir Monastery. The latter can only be reached by climbing 800 stairs but the effort is worth it. Used as a temple, tomb or both, the Ad-Deir has an impressive architectural design similar to the Al Khazneh. There is also a refreshment stand at the top, that I found to be most appealing after a hard, uphill walk.

Earthquakes and varying trade routes gradually left Petra abandoned except for Bedouins that would frequent the area. Today, however, you don’t have to travel all the way to Jordan to get a glimpse of life in this beautiful city. Starting April 4, Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan will be hosting an exhibition called Experience Petra that will include 200 objects on loan from public and private collections. The exhibition runs though August 15 at the Prince Conference Center.