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The Monestary is one of the largest monuments
in Petra. (It is also one of the farthest from the main gate.)
The Deir recieved this name from the cave that is known as the
Hermit's Cell. No one knows where this name came from, and it
may have only come into use after the Middle Ages.
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The Deir monument is 40.2 meters
wide and is carved deep into the side of the mountain. The door
itself is 8 meters high. The main inside chamber is huge. It
is 11.5 meters by 10 meters, and is lit only by light coming
through the 8 meter high doorway. |
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On the far side there is a wide
niche with steps leading up to it on either side, and an arch
over it. Apparently there was plaster on the walls here. The
stairs seem to indicate that there was once an altar here, similar
to Al Uzza and Dushares Temples. Later, Christian crosses were
carved into the walls. |
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Infront of the monument, a huge
area was leveled, and seems to have been used for great congregations
of people. The surrounding hills form a great natural amphitheater. |
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Not far from the Deir, along the left wall
full of caves and cisterns is a carving showing two camels and
men. Across from the Deir is a pilastered niche in a cave, with
a man standing beside an altar.
During clearing work around the Petra Deir
monuments in 1990-91, an inscription was discovered nearby. It
referred to "the symposium of Obodas the God." From
this inscription, some archeologists believe that the Deir was
created as a meeting place for members of the cult of Obodas.
Others feel that the Deir may have been a tomb and monument,
used by the family and descendants of Obodas.
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In the past, people were allowed to climb
the mountan behind the Deir and sit on the large rim under the
urn. Climbing the Deir mountian is now forbidden. We do have
pictues, however, of previous visits to the top of the Deir.
Click here for pictures.
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Around the Deir Plateau
there are many excellent views of deep gorges and even Wadi Araba'. |
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