Al-Deir (Monastery)

Al-Deir, also known as the Monastery, is a large, ancient rock-cut structure in Petra, Jordan, built by the Nabataean people around the 1st century AD. Carved directly into sandstone cliffs, it served as a tomb and possibly a monastery. Its imposing façade features a massive, ornate entrance with intricate carvings, and inside, there are spacious chambers and a large altar. Al-Deir is renowned for its impressive scale and craftsmanship, offering insight into Nabataean engineering and cultural practices. It remains a major archaeological and tourist site, symbolizing Petra’s historical significance as a nexus of trade and civilization.