No other element on the planet conveys strength and solidity like a towering rock formation. The inherent power of mounds, hills, and mountains have meant many things to craftsmen and settlers throughout the world. Some have used rock formations as a means of protection, others as a means of making their mark on the world. For millennia, rock formations have served as the location of temples, monuments, and even cities. Here, for your consideration, are some of the most enduring and incredible. From Jordan to China and beyond, here are the most incredible landmarks carved into rock.
1. Petra, Jordan
You might know this Jordanian landmark best as the place where Indiana Jones found the Holy Grail. This massive collection of temples are carved from the pink stone that lies between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. The natural color of the stone once earned Petra the nickname, “Rose City.” Though it is now primarily a tourist attraction, the city of Petra — which dates to about 300 BCE — was once the capital of the thriving Nabatean Kingdom.
