Ad Deir (Monastery), Petra
الدير
A giant rock-cut monument reached by climbing about 800 steps. It is grander than the Treasury, and from the summit you can see across Wadi Araba.
The Monastery (Ad Deir) sits on a mountaintop in the northwest of ancient Petra. It is one of Petra's largest rock-cut monuments, with a facade about 47 metres wide and 48 metres high, even grander than the Treasury. Built in the 1st century CE, it was likely a temple dedicated to the deified Nabataean king Obodas I. It is called a 'monastery' because crosses were carved inside during the Byzantine era. From the museum near the end of the Colonnaded Street, climb about 800 carved stone steps. The one-way trip takes about 45 to 60 minutes and passes smaller sights such as the Lion Triclinium. You can also ride a donkey up, though this is not especially recommended for animal welfare and safety reasons, and you should bargain on the price. Across from the Monastery is a small tea house run by Bedouins. Sit down with a glass of sweet tea to enjoy the facade. Continue upward for another 5 to 10 minutes to reach several viewpoints marked 'View of the End of the World', which overlook Wadi Araba and the distant Negev Desert in Israel. Admission is included in the Petra pass. Plan this for the second day in Petra or for the afternoon of the same day. In summer, bring at least 2 litres of water.
Opening hours
Same hours as Petra
Nearby sights
- Qasr al-Bint
- Temple of the Winged Lions
- Great Temple of Petra
- Colonnaded Street
- Petra Church
- Petra Theatre
- Royal Tombs, Petra
- High Place of Sacrifice