Location: It is situated at the foot of Al-Qalzam Mountain near Al Zaafarana.
Who built it ? It was founded in 356 AD by St. Antony, who was considered the first one who established the Christian monasticism, which originated in
the Egyptian desert.
Why it was built ? It was built to be dedicated to St. Antony who was buried beneath one of the ancient churches of it.
Explanation : This Monastery is considered the oldest inhabited monasteries in the world. During the sixth and seventh centuries many monks from Wadi Natroun, who were under frequent attacks by Bedouins, migrated to St. Antony's monastery.
Today, it is a self-contained village with gardens, a mill, a bakery and five churches, the best of which is St. Antony's Church. There is also a library with over 1,700 handwritten manuscripts, but the Bedouin servants, who plundered the monastery, used many manuscripts for cooking fuel.
At one time, there must have been a much more extensive library. The oldest paintings in the monastery date to the seventh and eighth centuries, while the newest are from the thirteenth century. In addition to the paintings, woodwork inside St. Antony's Church was also restored.
Egypt Travel Guide
Egypt Oases
- Gara Cave
- Al-Deer
- Badr's Museum
- Bagawat
- Black desert
- Cleopatra bath
- Great Sand Sea
- Mizawaka
- Monastery of Anba Bishoy
- Mountain of the Dead in Siwa | Gebel al-Mawta
- Qarun Lake
- Roman Temple in Deir El-hagar
- Temple of Alexander the Great
- Temple of Amon
- Temple of Dush
- Temple of Hibis
- Temple of Nadura
- The Crystal Mountain | Bahariya Crystal Mountain
- The Monastery of Abu Makar (Makarios) | Egypt
- The Monastery of Baramus | Egypt
- The Monastery of El Suryan | Cairo Attractions
- Therapy in Siwa Oasis
- Valley of Al-Haiz
- Valley of the Golden Mummies
- Wadi Al- Rayan, Protected Area | Fayoum, Egypt
- Wadi El-Natroun | The Monasteries of Wadi El Natrun
- The White Desert in Egypt
- Fayoum Bird-watching Guide
Ports of Call
Red Sea and Sinai
Famous Mosques in Egypt
Transportation guide in Egypt
Egypt Tourist Attractions
Egypt Pyramids
- Djedefre Pyramid | Abu Rawash
- Abu Sir | Egyptian Necropolis & Pyramids
- King Snefru's Pyramid | Egypt
- Old Kingdom Pyramids | Ancient Egypt
- Pyramid Complex of Pepi I
- Pyramid of Muzghuna
- Pyramid of Amenemhat III
- Khaba Pyramid- the Layer Pyramid
- Pyramid of lahun | Egypt Pyramids
- Pyramid of Meidum
- Pyramid of Neferhetepes | Egypt Pyramids
- Pyramid of Netjerkhet | Egypt Pyramids
- Pyramid of Neferefre
- Pyramid of Sahure | Egypt Pyramids
- Pyramid of Sekhemkhet
- Pyramid of Sesostris III
- Pyramid of Teti | Egypt Pyramids
- Pyramid of Userkaf | Egypt Pyramids
History of Egypt
- The False Doors | Ancient Egypt Secrets
- Egyptian Canopic Jars: What are Canopic Jars?
- Holy Family in Egypt
- king khufu (Cheops) | Kings of Ancient Egypt
- Khafre Statue | King Khafre Pyramid
- Who built the first pyramid in Egypt
- Menkaure (Mykerinos) Pyramid | King Menkaure
- Ramesses IV | Ramses iv Tomb
- Ramses IX Tomb
- The Divine Triad of Dendera
Aswan Attractions
Luxor Attractions
Alexandria Attractions
Cairo Attractions
- Famous Bab al Futuh
- Al-Tannoura Egyptian Heritage Dance Troupe
- Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church
- Abusir Pyramids & The City of The Dead Egypt
- Agricultural Museum Egypt, Cairo
- AL Fustat Historical City
- Bab El Nasr Cairo City Gate
- Beit Al Sennari or Al Sennari House in Cairo
- The Cairo Tower
- How much is a Camel Worth in Egypt?!
- Coptic Cathedral in Abbasiya
- Egyptian Museum Guide
- El Mosky Cairo | Bazaars & Souks
- Where is King Tut now?
- The Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha in Cairo
- Royal Mummy Room in The Egyptian Museum
- The Pharaonic Village
- The Great Sphinx of Giza
- Babylon Fortress Facts
- Solar Boat Museum
- Valley Temple of Khafre
- St Mary Egypt Orthodox Church
- Verdi Aida Opera Show in Giza Pyramids Egypt
Plan Your Trip!
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