Ad Deir (The Monastery) | Petra

Information

Landmark: Ad Deir (The Monastery)
City: Petra
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Ad Deir (The Monastery), Petra, Jordan, Asia

Ad Deir, commonly referred to as the Monastery, is a monumental rock-cut building situated high in the hills northwest of Petra's city center. It is one of the largest monuments in the archaeological park, measuring 47 meters wide and 48 meters high.

Visual Characteristics

The facade is carved from yellow-ochre sandstone in a simplified classical style. It features a deep recessed central doorway flanked by massive columns, with a broken pediment on the upper tier surrounding a central circular tholos topped by a 10-meter-high stone urn. The interior consists of a single large, plain chamber with a recessed niche in the back wall.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located approximately 4.5 kilometers from the Petra Visitor Center. Reaching the monument requires a steep ascent of approximately 800 rock-cut stairs starting from the Basin area at the end of the Colonnaded Street. The hike takes 45 to 60 minutes. Access is limited to foot traffic or donkeys; motorized vehicles cannot traverse the mountain trail.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Carved in the mid-1st century AD, the structure was likely a Nabataean symposion hall or a tomb for King Obodas II. Its modern name originates from crosses carved into the interior walls during the Byzantine period when it was repurposed as a Christian chapel. It is situated on a high mountain plateau composed of Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore the massive flat plaza in front of the monument and view the interior chamber. Several viewpoints located 200 meters further west offer panoramic vistas of the Wadi Araba desert and the Sinai Peninsula. Photography of the facade is the primary activity.

Infrastructure & Amenities

A small Bedouin-run cafe is located directly opposite the monument, providing shaded seating and refreshments. Basic restroom facilities are available near the cafe. Shade is abundant within the cafe and the shadow of the cliff face during the morning. 4G cell signal is available but can be inconsistent depending on the provider.

Best Time to Visit

The facade faces west, making late afternoon (15:30 to sunset) the optimal time for photography as the sun illuminates the golden stone. Early morning visits (07:00–09:00) are recommended to complete the 800-step climb before peak temperatures occur.

Facts & Legends

The stone urn atop the central tholos is solid sandstone, yet it bears numerous bullet marks from treasure hunters who believed it contained ancient gold. Unlike the Treasury, the architectural details of Ad Deir are much larger in scale but less ornate, suggesting it was designed to be viewed from a distance across the vast plateau.