Petra, Jordan

Petra, the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom established in the 4th century BC, was carved directly into rose-red sandstone cliffs in southern Jordan. The Treasury (Al-Khazneh), carved around 100 BC, stands 40 metres high and was used as a tomb for King Aretas IV. The entire city — streets, tombs, temples, a 3,000-seat theatre — was hand-carved from living rock over four centuries.