Siq al-Barid, commonly known as Little Petra, is a smaller archaeological site located just a few kilometres north of Petra in Jordan. Carved into pale sandstone cliffs, Little Petra served as a suburb or satellite settlement of the main Nabataean capital. The name “Siq al-Barid,” meaning “Cold Canyon,” refers to the narrow gorge’s shaded, cool environment. Like Petra, the site features rock-cut facades, temples, tombs, and cisterns, though on a smaller scale. Its architectural layout suggests it was a residential and commercial hub, likely used to host visiting merchants and caravans travelling the ancient incense and spice trade routes.

One of Little Petra’s most significant features is the Painted Biclinium, a rare Nabataean dining room adorned with well-preserved frescoes depicting grapes, vines, and cherubs — offering insight into the luxurious lifestyle and Greco-Roman artistic influences of the time. Unlike Petra, Little Petra is more secluded and far less crowded, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a quieter, yet equally atmospheric, Nabataean experience. Though it lacks the grandeur of Petra’s Treasury, Siq al-Barid remains an important complement to Petra, highlighting the Nabataeans’ architectural prowess, social organisation, and mastery of desert adaptation.