Al-Dayr

Petra, Jordan

Al-Dayr (the Monastery) is the largest rock-cut facade executed at Petra (approximately 43 x 30.5 m). The pilastered facade has no entrance portico, but otherwise is similar in design to the Khaznat. The upper and lower sections are each divided into three zones; the central section of the upper order is topped by a free-standing urn. Al-Dayr was never completed, and was a probably a royal tomb dating to the last 1st century CE-early 2nd, from the end of Petra's independent political life. Minor interior changes were made later, and during Byzantine times the tomb chamber was used as a church.

Sources:

Hammond, Philip C. "Petra." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press, accessed January 9, 2015, http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T066760.