Monastery of St. Simeon

The Monastery of St. Simeon was established in the 7th century by Coptic monks seeking to escape to the meditative quiet of the desert. The complex was rebuilt at least once before it was finally abandoned during the 13th century; however, the monastery remains in surprisingly good shape given it long disuse.

The complex was walled to protect the monk from Bedouin raiders and other threats and the stone and mudbrick walls make for an impressive sight on approach. It engenders thoughts of a medieval fortress more than a religious institution. Inside are the remains of a church, a stable, and other buildings vital to the simple lives of these medieval monks.

Address
Aswan, Egypt

Established
7th century AD