Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan Jan. 22, 2025

Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan

Carved into rose-red cliffs, Petra and its crown jewel, Ad-Deir, or "The Monastery," feel like stepping into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure. Tucked in the heart of Jordan"s arid desert landscapes, this ancient city once thrived as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom in the 2nd century BCE. It was also a hub of the spice trade, connecting distant regions like China, Egypt, Greece and India. The city was abandoned for around 500 years before being rediscovered in 1812, earning it the "Lost City" moniker.

© Punnawit Suwuttananun/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Hop into Lunar New Year
Jan. 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Jan. 22, 2026Karlovy Vary, Bohemia, Czechia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov. 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah, United States
Nov. 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
Sep. 7, 2024Annas hummingbird
Sep. 15, 2023Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, Ireland
Aug. 12, 2025World Elephant Day
Trusty water-shifters
Bungle beehives
Apr. 26, 2025Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
Dec. 20, 2025Christmas star lanterns, Germany
Jan. 29, 2026Milwaukee City Hall, Wisconsin, United States
This magical beach is worth the hike
Let there be lights!
Stealthy pollinators
Nimble and stealthy
Mar. 15, 2025Pacific Rim Whale Festival
The only road to P.E.I.
Mar. 17, 2024St. Patricks Day
Im ready for my close-up, Mr. DeSquirrel
Oct. 20, 2025International Sloth Day
A pair of high achievers
Oct. 7, 2023Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA
Jun. 25, 2024Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
The lonely castle
Feb. 18, 2024World Whale Day
Jan. 7, 2024Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve, Australia
Mar. 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Nov. 15, 2025Irohazaka Road in autumn, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
May 8, 2024Marseille welcomes to Olympic torch
Apr. 27, 2024Leucistic Annas Hummingbird, California, USA
Sep. 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy