The Monastery (al-Deir), Petra 
The Monastery's huge facade stands atop a mountain above the ancient
city of Petra. Photo
Roel Meurders.
View of the Monastery from above. Photo © Sacredsites.com
Photo
Joan Rubió.
Photo © FreeStockPhotos.com.
Photo
David Bjorgen.Giving the Treasury a run for its money as the most awe-inspiring monument of Petra is the Monastery (a.k.a. al-Deir or ad-Dayr in Arabic), which is about an hour's climb north of Petra's city center.
The Monastery is beautifully carved, though much less decorated than the Treasury, and so huge that the doorway is taller than many houses. Its name, like most Petra structures, does not reflect reality: it was probably a Nabatean temple.
History
Like the "Treasury," the name "Monastery" is a rather inaccurate nickname, which is probably based on some crosses that are scratched inside. Althought it may have been later used as a church (or even a hermit monk's home), it was almost certainly a temple. It may have been dedicated to the Nabatean king Obodas I, who reigned in the first century BC and was posthumously deified.
What to See
See the Petra Monastery Photo Gallery for a virtual tour.
At first glance, the Monastery's facade is much like the Treasury, but it is larger (about 50 meters square) and much less ornate — in fact, there's virtually no decoration at all. The flat plaza in front was leveled by the Nabateans, probably to contain the huge crowds that gathered for religious ceremonies.
Inside the Monastery is a single chamber, with the same configuration of double staircases leading up to a cultic niche as in the Qasr al-Bint and the Temple of the Winged Lions.
On the left side of the Monastery as you face it is a scramble-path that leads up to the 10-meter-high urn on top of the facade. Leaping around on top of the urn is a popular test of courage for local kids; some even shimmy up to the very top. Follow them at your own risk.
Getting There
The Monastery is an hour's climb northwest of the city center, about 220 meters above the elevation of the Qasr al-Bint. The journey is well worth it, not just for the Monastery but also for the sweeping views from the top over the entire Petra basin and the Wadi Araba.
It may sound daunting, but there are well-trodden steps the entire way, plenty of places to rest, and donkeys available to rent. Two-thirds up is a tranquil holy spring, and there are various other minor points of interest along the way.
The best time to climb to the monastery is in the afternoon: the path is mostly in shadown by then, and the sun will hit the facade of the Monastery straight on.
Travel Resources
- Petra Map - our interactive aerial map helps you get your bearings
- Petra Hostels & Budget Hotels - book budget accommodation
- Petra Hotel Reviews - unbiased reviews and ratings from fellow travelers
- Petra Travel Forum - get tips, advice and answers before you go
- Petra Guided Tours - choose from various guided tours of Petra and book ahead of time
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Monastery in Petra. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Petra Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- The Rough Guide to Jordan, 2nd ed.
