Al-Dayr

monument, Petra, Jordan

Also known as: Ad-Dayr

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

Al-Dayr, also known as "the Monastery," is a prominent rock-cut monument in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. This unfinished tomb facade was later utilized as a church during the Byzantine era. Petra, meaning "Rock" in Greek, was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom and a vital center for the spice trade. The city, carved into sandstone cliffs, was renowned for its unique architecture and sophisticated hydrological systems. Petra was rediscovered in 1812 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Petra
Al-Dayr (“the Monastery”) is one of Petra’s best-known rock-cut monuments; it is an unfinished tomb facade that during Byzantine times was used as a church. Many of the tombs of Petra have elaborate facades and are now used as dwellings. The High Place of Sacrifice,…
Read More
Al-Dayr (“the Monastery”) is one of Petra’s best-known rock-cut monuments; it is an unfinished tomb facade that during Byzantine times was used as a church. Many of the tombs of Petra have elaborate facades and are now used as dwellings. The High Place of Sacrifice,…
Read More