Ad-Deir — The Monastery★★★
Ad-Deir — Petra's Hidden Masterpiece
The Monastery Ad-Deir is the largest and, for many visitors, the most impressive facade of Petra. At 48 meters wide and 47 meters high, it is even more colossal than the Treasury — and it sits atop a mountain peak, reached by an ascent of 800 rock-cut steps.
The name “Monastery” comes from the crosses carved into the walls in later centuries when Byzantine monks lived here. Originally, it was probably a Nabataean temple or a meeting room for religious banquets, built in the 1st century AD.
The ascent takes 45–60 minutes and is strenuous, but the view from the top is breathtaking: an endless panorama over the Edom mountains to Wadi Araba. At the top, there is a Bedouin café selling tea and cold drinks — the most deserved tea of your life.
The facade itself is most beautiful in the late afternoon (from 3:00 PM) when the sun illuminates it golden. Those who see Ad-Deir in the evening light understand why Petra is a world wonder.
Achtung
The ascent to the Monastery is strenuous: 800 steps often in blazing sun. Bring enough water (at least 1 liter), wear good shoes, and do not start at midday. Donkeys and mules are offered as “taxis” — note that the animals are often in poor condition.
