Inner yard of Deir-Hajla monastery, a photo from Jerusalem, Yerushalayim

Photographer's Note

One of the most beautiful monasteries in the southern Jordan valley / Judean desert area is the Dier Hajla monastery.
The person in the picture is a monk resides and serves the monastery.

Exquisitely nurtured within a charming orchard, here is its inner yard at the entrance to the small church, which picture is on WS#1.

A Greek Orthodox monastery of Saint Gerasimus. The modern monastery has been established in 1875, but some findings assured its dated to the Crusader period (12th-13th century).

There is a mosaic workshop in the premises, an example of its work which also decorating walls and floors of the monastery, posted on the WS#2.
WS#3 shows an arcade of the upper level seen on the main post.

Located just east of Jericho at 31.8206, 35.5015 on the map.
A cell-phone picture.
Ike

*** Source from Wikipedia which page is:
Deir Hajla - Wikipedia

Fis2, holmertz, pajaran, Royaldevon, pierrefonds, jean113, lucasgalodoido, jhm, ChrisJ, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, PaulVDV, adramad, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Fis2 (170779) 2021-05-14 0:29

Witaj Ike my neighbour today :)!
A very interesting place, view makes impression.
Nice photos in WS.
Good framing, colors and light.
I like clock tower and this scene from daily life.
Well done.
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

holmertz (102708) 2021-05-14 0:44

Hello Ike,
This looks like a place that could keep a visitor busy for quite a while. There are so many things to watch, not least the mosaics shown in the WS. This courtyard is really beautiful, and it's a bonus to the photo that a person is included. Monk or visitor? Everyone is busy with mobile phones these days.
Best regards,
Gert

pajaran (115911) 2021-05-14 1:38

Pozdrav.
Interesantan i lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Lepa stara arhitektura, dobro pokazana sa lepim bojama i kontrastom.
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici.
Lep Manastir sa zvonikom, kupolama, krstovima, enterijer i fotografija.
Zelim vam miran dan, sve najbolje.
Paja

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-05-14 1:47

Hello Ike,

I was looking forward to seeing your close-up photographs from your visit.
This is a very interesting shot, showing the intimate details of the courtyard, and how plants flourish here. (I'm sure you found it particularly interesting after watching that series about the Knights Templar.)

As a fine composition, I prefer your w/s showing the repeating arches. And, of course, the mosaics were beautiful. I wonder if the included fish designs were important. According to tradition, ancient Christians, during their persecution by the Roman Empire in the first few centuries after Christ, used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from foes.

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)

Silvio1953 (221627) 2021-05-14 2:06

Ciao Ike, great view of interesting monastery, fine details, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

lousat (139286) 2021-05-14 4:03

Hi Ike,really a very rich post with 4 photographs, evidently this monastery has many things to offer. It reminded me of the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai that I visited years ago, both the architectural style and the plants are quite similar. Another gem from your last trip full of opportunities. Have a nice weekend, i hope the best in these bad days for your country,and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (114470) 2021-05-14 4:38

Hi Ike,

The presence of the monk is animating the scene. The point of view is showing the details of the inner courtyard and of the entrance of the church. It is clear and sharp. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jean113 (27879) 2021-05-14 8:59

Hello Ike, for cell phone pictures these three are excellent.
There were obviously plenty of different views for you to photograph.
The main post is crammed full of details.
The light is managed really well.
Kind regards, Jean.

lucasgalodoido (27698) 2021-05-14 10:54

Ol� Ike,
bonito registro do interior desse antigo monast閞io, interessante essas plantas ca髏icas na composi玢o.
Parab閚s e Abra鏾,
Lucas

jhm (211736) 2021-05-14 10:58

Hello Ike,

This square are very quiet and nice with stairway and much green palmtrees.
What a beautiful interior entrance with the Father on the stairway.
Colours and sharpness are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ChrisJ (171822) 2021-05-14 14:45

Hello Ike,

The monk at right with his cell phone animates the scene. Good colour, sharpness and framing. The green leafed palms add a splash of colour. The belltower provides a strong focal point. Tfs!

ifege (48111) 2021-05-14 21:18

Hi Ike
A good one in the courtyard of this obviously orthodox monastery.
cheers
Ian

Tue (92370) 2021-05-15 11:01

Hello Ike,
A beautiful photo of this monastery. Especially the towers and golden domes look wonderful in the sunlight and stand out well from the blue sky. The foreground adds some fine details as well as the green of the trees.
Lars

COSTANTINO (116518) 2021-05-15 22:46

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
thanks for the uploading of one of
the most beautiful monasteries
in the southern Jordan valley
so many interesting details
to watch
regards
Costantino

jemaflor (147156) 2021-05-15 23:30

Hi Ike,
a monastery well photographed, good management for the light and contrast capture, pleasant composition with the Fg in the corner, pleasant sunlight, tfs.

mkamionka (74447) 2021-05-16 0:00

Hi Ike,
amazing place, so hard to believe there is a monastery in the desert and Orthodox Christian in Israel. Whay would the monks prefer to be there, may be to be closer to where Jesus lived? Either way the place is certainly very interesting and you have captured it well. I am sure a wider picture would show more of a dome in the left, but I see you probably wanted to have this monk with his cell phone there.
Very well seen and captured,
M

PaulVDV (62920) 2021-05-16 12:10

Hello Ike,
The inner yard gives me the feeling of being in an oasis.
A relatively comfortable place that radiates calm in the hot, harsh natural environment.
Very nice composition. The stairs and the trees lead us to the beautiful domes with the crosses.
Taken on a good moment with the monk sitting on the stairs.
Interesting photos in the WS. The mosaics remind me that in Hisham's Palace I also saw beautiful mosaics. Obviously culturally and religiously a completely different place.
Best regards, Paul

adramad (72998) 2021-05-20 11:49

Hi Ike.
Magnificent the patio of this monastery, very beautiful with that sand-colored stone, both the palm trees and the other trees, make this place much more welcoming, very well towers and arches.
A magnificent range of colors, in very attractive tones.
Very well done. Love it.
Have a great day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

mcmtanyel (68533) 2021-06-12 21:01

Hello Ike,
It looks like a beautiful courtyard, pleasantly green.
Regards,
MT