Deir el-Qinn

Deir el-Qinn is a rectangular Roman military post built from rough basalt stone in the Jordanian desert, measuring roughly 73 by 56 meters. An open courtyard sits at the center, with rooms and cisterns arranged around it.

Roman troops established the post around 200 to watch over a trade route through the Syrian Desert. The compound remained in service for about a century before being abandoned and later reused by monks.

The name refers to monastic use after the Roman military period ended, when monks took over the abandoned compound. Nabataean pottery found here shows that traders and travelers stopped at this point, bringing together goods from different parts of the region.

The fort sits in a remote spot and access requires a vehicle suitable for rough terrain along with local knowledge. The walls and cisterns are visible, but there are no signs or modern facilities on site.

A large water reservoir outside the fort walls measures 55 by 33.75 meters and supplied both the garrison and passing caravans. The stone crosses inside date from after the military use and prove that monks lived here.