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- English
About 240 km north of Hurghada lie some of Egypt’s oldest Christian monasteries, among the holiest places for Egyptian Orthodox Copts.
The Monastery of St. Anthony is the oldest Christian monastery in the world. Founded in the 4th century by followers of St. Anthony, the father of monasticism, it still houses more than 100 monks. Its ancient church holds his tomb, with medieval wall paintings and a library of rare manuscripts. Each monastery has a spring of unknown source; the water has flowed for centuries and still supplies the gardens. Above St. Anthony’s, a church and his cave sit on the mountain — 1,420 steps, if you are fit for it.
Opposite, about 30 km and a 40-minute drive away, is St. Paul’s Monastery, built over the cave where St. Paul, a 4th-century hermit, lived in prayer. Tradition says ravens brought him bread, and that lions dug his grave after he died at 105. The monastery still shows the monks’ medieval dining table, preserved for centuries.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Extra pickup charges, if any, are confirmed in advance: €5 per person from Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh, and €10 per person from Safaga. The tour is private, with prices and pickup based on a minimum of two people. Solo travelers may pay a supplement separately.
Itinerary
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1
First we take you to St. Paul's Monastery. It was built over the cave of Saint Paul, a Christian hermit who lived in the 4th Century AD. He preferred an ascetic life in the desert to the comfort of a city and devoted his life to worshiping God. According to legend, God himself sent bread from ravens to his faithful servant to save him from starvation, and his grave is said to have been dug by lions after Paul's death at the age of 105. Crypt under the tomb Visit the beautiful crypt located deep under the tomb. Level of the monastery, decorated with many colorful frescoes. In addition to sacred objects, you will also find everyday items such as an old chain block and an olive press. You will also be surprised to find a freshwater well in the middle of the desert.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
2St. Anthony's Monastery (Deir Mar Antonios)
On the other side of the hill from St Paul monastery there is a cave where the hermit Antonius lived more than 1600 years ago. The cave is 680 meters above sea level; A staircase with around 1,000 steps leads to this hollow. As you climb up to the cell of the saint, you can see scriptures and drawings - and when you look outside, you have a fantastic view of the mountains and the desert. Immediately after the death of the ascetic in 356 AD, Christian monks founded the monastery of St. Antonius at the foot of Antonius Mountain. This monastery is considered the beginning of Christian monasticism because it served as a model for believers throughout the Christian world. Nowadays it houses more than 100 monks. It covers a huge area of 6 hectares, which is surrounded by a wall that is around 1,200 meters long and 12 meters high. Here you will find an old Coptic church where the holy man is buried and well-preserved medieval paintings. His library contains valuable ancient manuscripts.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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