Syrian Monastery, Egypt

The Syrian Monastery is a religious complex in Wadi El Natrun located northwest of another major monastic site. The compound is surrounded by a ninth-century wall that encloses a tower and various service buildings.

The monastery was established in the sixth century as an early Christian spiritual center. It was later acquired by Syrian merchants and transformed into a major hub for Syrian monastic communities.

The monastery served as a refuge for monks from the Near East and became a center where eastern Christian traditions were practiced and preserved. Visitors can still observe how the different chapels reflect these long-standing religious practices.

The monastery sits in a depression and can be explored on foot, with the grounds being fairly compact. Visitors should wear respectful clothing and remember this is an active religious site.

A learned monk named Moses brought hundreds of Syrian manuscripts to the site in the tenth century, making it an important repository of early Christian texts. These documents shaped the place's character as a center of knowledge and learning.

Location: Beheira Governorate

Inception: 6 century

Elevation above the sea: -9 m

GPS coordinates: 30.31889,30.35278

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:28