Ad Deir (The Monastery) Petra, Jordan

Ad Deir (The Monastery) is a monumental building carved out of rock in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. Built by the Nabataeans in the 1st century and measuring 50 metres wide by approximately 45 meters high.  Architecturally the Monastery is an example of the Nabataean classical style. It is the second most visited building in Petra after Al Khazneh (The Treasury). It was dedicated to Obodas I and is believed to be the symposium of Obodas the god. This information is inscribed on the ruins of the Monastery. The building was probably later consecrated as a church by Byzantine Christians, crosses have also been carved into the ruins.