Incredible 2,000-year-old ancient city British tourists are warned not to visit | World | News
Jordan is home to the incredible ancient city of Petra (Image: Getty)
As the war in Iran rages on and tensions remain high across the Middle East, British tourists are being warned to check travel advice before visiting some of the region’s most famous destinations. The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has created growing instability across the region and disrupted travel in several countries.
Jordan, which is home to some of the world’s most spectacular ancient sites, has also been affected by the regional escalation. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued updated guidance warning that the situation poses “significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.
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Petra was founded more than 2,000 years ago (Image: Getty)
One of the country’s best-known attractions is the incredible ancient city of Petra.
Located in southwest Jordan, Petra was founded more than 2,000 years ago along important trade routes linking Arabia, Egypt and the Mediterranean.
The city became the capital of the Nabataean civilisation and grew into a wealthy and powerful trading hub.
At its peak the ancient desert city is believed to have been home to tens of thousands of people.
Today Petra is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and attracts visitors from across the globe.
Tourists enter the city through a narrow canyon known as the Siq before arriving at the towering façade of Al Khazna, also known as the Treasury.
Petra is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world (Image: Getty)
The huge monument carved directly into rose-coloured sandstone cliffs is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the ancient world and featured in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
But the huge archaeological park contains far more than just the famous Treasury. Petra includes more than 600 rock-cut facades, tombs, temples and monuments spread across a huge desert valley.
Highlights include the Roman-style theatre, the Royal Tombs and the enormous Monastery, which sits high above the valley and can be reached by climbing more than 800 steps.
Despite its popularity with tourists, the UK Government says travellers should be aware of increasing risks across the region.
The FCDO currently advises against all travel to within 3km of the Jordan-Syria border. It also advises against all but essential travel to other areas of Jordan.
In its latest guidance the FCDO warns that missiles travelling through Jordanian airspace have been intercepted during the regional conflict, with debris falling in some urban areas.
FCDO warns that missiles travelling through Jordanian airspace have been intercepted (Image: Getty)
Missile debris fell in some urban areas of Jordan (Image: Getty)
The advice states that the situation could change quickly and that Jordanian authorities may close airspace at short notice.
British nationals are urged to monitor local and international media, sign up for travel alerts and follow advice from local authorities.
Travellers are also advised to stay away from military facilities and to follow instructions if warning sirens sound.
The FCDO says there is also a risk of terrorism in Jordan, including potential attacks in places visited by foreign nationals such as hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and tourist sites.
Its guidance states: “Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.”
