The Saint Menes Monastery In Egypt

By Author: Medhat Elsergany
Total Articles: 70
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Egypt is one of the countries that enjoy a wonderful variety of monuments and historical sites. Due to the long rich history of the country, extending to more than 7000 years, with diverse dynasties and kingdoms ruling over the land of the Nile, travelers who tour Egypt enjoy visiting several Pharaonic, Christian, and Islamic monuments.

The Christian monuments in Egypt vary from historical churches, monasteries, chapels, and many other establishments. Today, we would be exploring one of the richest archeological Coptic sites in Egypt. The ruins of the Monastery of Saint Means are quite remarkable. Included in the UNESCO world heritage sites, the monastery still grabs the attention of some of the tourists who travel to Egypt.

Saint Means lived in Egypt during the 3rd century AD. He was born probably in Libya around 275 AD. Although Saint Means served in the Roman army in Egypt. However, when the Roman starting executing the newly converted Christians, he deserted the army.

Afterwards, he was martyred and his body was transferred to the location of the monastery today in the Northern Coast of ...
... Egypt. St Means was credited with many miracles. This is why his monastery became a famous pilgrimage site. Today, the monastery, or let’s say its ruins, welcomes some of the tourists who enjoy their vacations in Egypt.

The ancient monastery of Saint Menes is located 10 kilometers to the South of the city of Borg Al Arab, situated around 200 kilometers to the North West of Cairo. This is why some Egypt travel packages which include a visit to Alexandria or the North Coast, would allow tourists, interested in Coptic monuments, to explore the monastery.

The ruins of the Monastery of Saint Menes include a huge sanctuary which flourished during the 5th and the 6th centuries. The sanctuary was stolen during the 9th century searching for valuable building materials. However, the ruins are still impressive and catch the attention of many visitors who have wonderful holidays in Egypt.

It is astonishing to know that the Monastery of Saint Menes was discovered in the beginning of the 20th century. The discovery is credited to a German archeologist called Carl Coufmann in a mission commissioned by the German Archeological Institute in Egypt which has many important project and discoveries that amaze travelers who tour Egypt.

Among the most impressive sections of the Monastery of Saint Menes is the great basilica which was established around the 5th century AD by the Roman Emperor, Zeno. This basilica was the largest in Egypt at the time and one of the most wonderful Christian establishments of all time. This is why many tourists who travel to Egypt are keen to explore its ruins.

To the west of the basilica, there is a small church that was named the small basilica of Saint Menes. In the Westernmost point of the whole complex, there is the baptistery which is one of the most interesting sections of the complex that grab the attention of many tourists who spend their vacations in Egypt.

The baths of the complex, which pilgrimages didn’t only use for their ablutions, but also it is said that these bathes include the holy water of Saint Menes, are located to the North of the Great Basilica which have some notable ruins as well.