Petra, founded in the late 8th century B.C., is one of the oldest cities on record and is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The virtual reality experience “Petra: The Glory of the Nabataeans,” at the Reial Cercle Artístic, has shown it to us in all its splendor over the past few months. But all good things must come to an end: on May 31, it will close its doors in the city. There are very few tickets left for these sessions— get yours before it’s too late.
In addition, at the Reial Cercle Artístic, you can enjoy another virtual reality experience,Mozart and Vienna: A Magical Journey Through Music. You have the option to purchasea combined ticket for both experiences, which will give you a 20% discount (this option will appear on the ticket sales website). Take advantage of these final days to enjoy two unique experiences in a single visit.
Enjoying history firsthand
When we talk about Petra, you probably remember its famous Al Khazneh (The Treasury) building. Extremely well-preserved and immortalized in films like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade or Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, this monument can be visited if we take a trip to Jordan. But what was it like at the height of the Nabataean civilization?
Petra: The Glory of the Nabataeans shows us the site in great detail, just as it was in its heyday. In addition, the experience takes us on a tour of other sites in the Pink City, built on red sandstone (hence the name). All of this is made possible by the “magic” of state-of-the-art virtual reality.
This virtual journey is enjoyed with VR goggles while seated in an exclusive chair (patented by DreamVortex, creators of the experience). This very comfortable seat includes motion effects that let us feel the ground tremble, as well as multisensory effects of breeze and scents that immerse us even further into the history of Petra. These effects make it an even more immersive virtual reality experience, since in most VR experiences the sensations are limited to sight and sound.
Petra: The Glory of the Nabataeans will not only showcase the city’s architectural beauty but also its daily life. Thanks to total immersion (with the aforementioned scents and a carefully crafted soundscape), it will transport us into everyday life, with a pleasant stroll through the market where incense, spices, textiles, and all kinds of goods were sold.
This will help us discover how Petra was a city far ahead of its time thanks to the work of its inhabitants, the Nabataeans: it had sophisticated water storage systems, and its role was crucial along ancient trade routes.
Although the Nabataeans were not the only ones to innovate in water storage (at that time, the Romans were building aqueducts), their advances were highly commendable: Petra had no nearby sources of drinking water (there are no rivers in the area), so all stored water came from rain, and every drop was a treasure.
An experience suitable for all audiences
All these landmarks will be explained to us on this immersive journey, a perfect blend of entertainment and highly educational information. And it will be led by an exceptional guide: a mystical Djinn who will accompany us at all times. This supernatural figure, akin to a genie from Eastern cultures, will be our friendly voice on this journey across land, water, and air, and will speak in the language of our choice— Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Arabic, or Russian.
Petra: The Glory of the Nabataeans is the perfect experience for all ages: it will be enjoyed by adults who love archaeology and are looking for new experiences, as well as by children, who will have fun with virtual reality while learning a history lesson as if it were a game. Of course, older visitors will also be captivated by this highly original cultural outing.
Plus, it’s perfect for all kinds of social occasions: you can go with friends, as a couple, with family, or even alone.
And unlike other types of experiences that require prior knowledge, “Petra: The Glory of the Nabataeans” is designed for everyone— just sit in the chair, put on the goggles, and let yourself be carried away. Furthermore, although it is a multisensory experience, it is extremely relaxing, making it suitable for sensitive individuals who are particularly easily startled by some virtual reality activities involving intense stimuli or sudden movements.
