To reach or not to reach the monastery of Petra (Deir)? That is the question… that many tourists consider when they visit this spectacular destination. And not all of them do it, for different reasons. If you are also considering this dilemma, in this post we give you some arguments for and against doing so, so that you can choose the ones that convince you the most.
In favor of arriving: the icing on the cake (or the aperitif) to the visit
The monastery of Petra, also called Deir monastery (or el-Deir, as it means monastery in Arabic), is a spectacular monument, with all the hallmarks of the enclosure: an extraordinary communion between the natural landscape and ancient architecture, and a rich millenary history: it probably emerged as a Nabataean temple or tomb around the third century BC, It was later a Byzantine religious enclosure, as suggested by the crosses that are preserved inside.
Its façade is very similar to that of the Treasury, with two columned levels and a semicircular body finishing off the complex, between a split pediment. But for many, it is even more beautiful, with a more horizontal design and greater amplitude around it for contemplation, which makes it easier to take photographs. Without a doubt, one of the outstanding examples of the so-called ‘classical Nabataean style’.
There is also another of Petra’s attractions: its views of the surroundings. Those who hike to higher altitudes in the surrounding mountains enjoy a unique view of the façade of the monastery of Petra, as well as the rocky and bare mountains of the place.
And another fact in favor is that, despite its spectacularity, it is a space with less influx of people, due to its altitude and location: about 6.5 km from the entrance of the enclosure, 3.5 from the Tesoro and 1.5 km from the nearest restaurant, which is about 35 minutes on foot.
However, as we explained in this other post, it is precisely the first monument to visit when you enter through ‘the back door‘, through the backdoor trail, which is an incentive for hiking and sports lovers.
Cons: is it worth the time and effort?
As we said above, the location of the monastery of Petra is really out of hand: you must not only take into account the time it will take to get there but also the time you will spend on the way back. That is why the visit to this place is usually overlooked when only half a day is scheduled in Petra, giving priority to other places closer to the main entrance.
In fact, Petra has many other places of enormous interest that also deserve to be discovered without leaving the archaeological site, such as the Treasury, the Royal Tombs or the Nabataean Theatre, as well as the spectacular Siq.
And of course, you can’t forget that the climb to the monastery of Petra is not exactly a bed of roses: to get here you have to climb about 800 steps after a relatively demanding walk, especially on hotter days. Therefore, visiting this place is only recommended for people who have good mobility.
However, the bad taste of the steps can be solved with the donkeys that the Bedouin guides make available to travelers, although the ‘working’ conditions of these endearing animals are not always the most suitable. On the other hand, to get to the monastery of Petra it is not feasible to use golf carts, which only circulate in the section of the Siq, between the main entrance and the Treasury.
