Private Full-Day Tour of Monasteries St Paul and St Antonius
Ras Gharib is home to some of Egypt's oldest Christian monasteries, considered to be among the holiest places for Egyptian Orthodox Copts. These monasteries represent a rich cultural and historical heritage.
One of the most significant is the monastery dedicated to St. Anthony, the oldest Christian monastery in Egypt. Currently, it houses more than 100 monks and features an ancient Coptic church that holds the tomb of St. Anthony. Visitors can admire well-preserved medieval paintings and explore a library filled with valuable ancient manuscripts.
Just opposite lies St. Paul's Monastery, built over the cave where Saint Paul, a 4th-century Christian hermit, lived. Preferring an ascetic life in the desert over the comforts of the city, he devoted himself to worshiping God. According to legend, God sent bread to him via ravens to prevent him from starving. It is also said that lions dug his grave after his death at the age of 105, further adding to the mystique surrounding his life.
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Private Full-Day Tour of Monasteries St Paul and St Antonius
Pickup included
What's included in Private Full-Day Tour of Monasteries St Paul and St Antonius
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
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.
St. 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.
Inclusions
- Landing and facility fees
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch
- Pickup from Makadi hotels 5 euros per person surcharge and 10 Euro from Safaga
- 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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Pickup and Dropoff
Choose to be picked up from a list of locations
Please arrive at the pick up point 30 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
If any additional transportation costs arise, the client will be informed in advance (a €5 surcharge per person for pick-up from Makadi hotels and a €10 surcharge for pick-up from Safaga). The tour is considered private, with pricing and pick-up starting from two persons. Single travelers may incur an additional cost, which can be paid separately.
