The route that tells the story of the Nabataeans most clearly

This trail is more than just a simple walkway, but filled with the traces of the Nabataeans, the ingenious desert traders who built Petra two thousand years ago. They used this route both for trade and perhaps as a secret passage during wartime.

We slowly descended ancient stone steps through a narrow canyon still marked by carvings. The desert wind blew at our faces, interspersed with the sound of other travelers lined up like ancient caravans.

And as we rounded the final bend, Ad Deir (The Monastery) loomed before us, towering and imposing—over 45 meters tall and nearly 50 meters wide, even larger than the Treasury we're familiar with on postcards. Scholars suggest it may have served as both a religious site and an important meeting place for the empire.

There, we paused, looking back, and realized that all the sweat and toil on the trail had not been in vain. It deepened our understanding of Petra—both as an ancient site and as a truly vibrant city.

#Petra #AdDeir #TheMonastery #BackDoorTrail #JordanTravel

Post by Mr. Choon | Sep 21, 2025