Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan 22 Jan 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
22 Jan 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
22 Jan 2026Karlovy Vary, Bohemia, Czechia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

5 Aug 2025Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
14 Feb 2026Happy Valentines Day!
2 Dec 2024Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
12 Dec 2025National Poinsettia Day
10 Jul 2026Llanthony Priory, Black Mountains area, Monmouthshire, Wales
28 Dec 2025Black-and-white ruffed lemur in Madagascar
Will we be ready for the ‘big one?’
Pretty in pink
Centuries of time in a Delicate Arch
7 Aug 2026Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
20 Aug 2025The citadel in Bonifacio, Southern Corsica, France
5 Nov 2023Guy Fawkes Night
29 Jul 2026International Tiger Day
8 Aug 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
26 Feb 2024Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada
A stunning chamber for beautiful art
3 Jun 2025World Bicycle Day
1 Apr 2026Peggys Point Lighthouse, Atlantic Coast, Nova Scotia, Canada
18 May 2026International Museum Day
15 Jul 2024Marine Day, Japan
20 Dec 2025Christmas star lanterns, Germany
8 Mar 2026Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, Oregon, United States
10 Nov 2025Black-tailed prairie dogs, Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
A glowing square of squares
Clouds dance above Sundance
A public restroom or a tourist spot?
3 Sep 2024Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington, USA
Giants of the Southern Ocean
Aug 28, 2023Dubrovnik, Croatia
13 Mar 2024Lake Magadi, Kenya