Petra Museum — Attraction in Maan

The museum is fairly new, with plenty of interesting exhibits, many touch screens dedicated to particular subjects of nabatean life. In the centre of a second room, a large floor screen depicts the history in both English and Arabic. Free, air coned (if too much). Would be very enjoyable and instructive if the staff were not atrocious. The lady at the entry was kind. But the security personnel inside were horrible. I visited with my young children, history buffs, watching and translating/explaining the history of Nabateans. Mind you. Not loud and totally related to the museum. There were just a handful of other people, some talking, we clearly did not inconvenience anyone. Yet, the man came and reprimanded me for speaking! He required silence. It is not a shrine, it is a museum for people and we were talking about the film we were seeing. Absolutely unacceptable treatment. The man was shorter, in a white Tshirt, on the afternoon of Saturday, Nov 1. Adding insult to an injury, later on he himself was talking to another staff member. And by the exit door, a second guard, tall in a red shirt, was watching some videos on his phone, with loudspeaker...

Right at the end is a TV playing a video with stories from the Bedouin people..that was my favourite part of the museum. It gave an insight into the entire Petra trail we had walked!

The Petra Museum, right beside the Visitor Centre, is a hidden gem that too many visitors overlook. Entry is free, the layout is modern and well-designed, and the size is just right—you can explore it in 30 minutes without feeling rushed. Exhibits are arranged in a clear sequence, starting with Jordan’s wider history before focusing on Petra, with excellent signage, detailed information screens, and even a video on the Nabatean city. The six chambers showcase artifacts from different periods, giving you context that enriches your visit to the archaeological site, especially if you’re not hiring a guide. Clean restrooms, a souvenir shop, and open courtyards add to the experience. A must-visit before...

The new Petra Museum - moved since April 2019 to a brand new building near the site's entrance - excels beyond measure in the outstanding quality of its collection. It is free of charge and pictures are allowed.

The highlights include a superb collection of Stone Age, Iron Age - Edomite, Nabatean, Roman, Byzantine and Medieval periods. The museum is also known for its collection of Nabatean sculptures. It does a great job linking the ancient history of the place all the way to the present.

This easy-to-miss museum in Petra is a true gem in the Rose City and a must see to better understand the history of Petra and the peoples that called it and still call it home. And hour will be enough to cover it properly.

Because it closes late in the day, it is advisable to enter it after your day's hike into Petra proper once you had eaten something to...