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Wadi El Natron Monastery: Christian Heritage Tour from Cairo with Dining

Wadi El Natrun

Embark on a Christian heritage tour from Cairo to Wadi El Natron Monastery. Discover the rich history of this ancient sanctuary and enjoy a delicious dining experience.

Duration: 7 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Wadi El Natrun - Our guide will escort you from your Cairo hotel to commence your Coptic journey to Wadi Natron. Your first stop will be at The Monastery of El Suryan, constructed by St. Beshoy during the sixth century in honor of the Virgin Mary. The monastery boasts a fascinating cave where St. Beshoy is believed to have prayed while tethering his hair to the ceiling to prevent himself from dozing off. Over time, Syrian monks assumed ownership of the monastery, leading to its modern name “Al-Suryan,” signifying “the Syrians.” This name is a concise version of the monastery’s original, which was “Monastery of Saint Mary the Virgin, the Lady of the Syrians.” Tragically, the monastery faced destruction by the Berbers in 817 AD but was rebuilt in 850 by two monks, Matthew and Abraham. On a diplomatic mission to Baghdad, they successfully secured tax exemptions for the monasteries.

What's Included

All taxes & service charge included.
Entry/Admission to Wadi Natrun.
Complimentary water bottles.
Access to Coptic attractions as per itinerary.
Lunch provided.
Professional tour guide.
Convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off in Cairo.

Additional Information

Locatedin the eastern desert near the delta, Wadi El-Natron is a prominent Christian pilgrimage site in Egypt. Christianity first reached Wadi El-Natron in approximately 330 AD when St. Macarius the Great took asylum there. This region subsequently transformed into a haven for Christians escaping the systematic persecution under Roman authority in the 4th century, laying down the roots of a flourishing monastic culture. Traditionally, the region hosted a plethora of monasteries, although only four have managed to survive through the ages. This preservation acted as a protective measure for monks against the danger presented by Berbers and Bedouins.