The largest of Petra's monuments the Deir is reached after a strenuous but well rewarded trek. A flight of 800 steps cut into the rock takes you up to the 45x50 meter structure. This temple or tomb was clearly an important pilgrimage site, with worshippers and priests using a processional route to congregate in the open area in front of the monument. From the 4th Century onwards it was used as a monastery during the Christian Byzantine era when crosses were painted on its rear wall.

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