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Hurghada
St. Antony's Monastery sight seeing Excursions
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Take a trip from Hurghada to
St.
Antony's Monastery, which lies at the foot of
Al-Qalzam Mountain near Al Zaafarana, was
founded in 356 AD just after the saints death
and is the oldest active monastery in the
world.. We do know that St. Antony founded
several monasteries during his life (though they
would not have been recognizable in the modern
use of the term), but alas they are no more. We
know little of the monastery's very early
period. However, during the sixth and seventh
centuries many monks from Wadi Natroun who were
under frequent attacks by Bedouins migrated to
St. Antony's. But this monastery was plundered
on many occasions also, being partly destroyed
in the 11th century. Between the 12th and 15th
centuries, the monastery flourished but was
plundered again in 1454 by Bedouin servants. Due
to such attacks, this is a fortress style
monastery. Though Coptic today, over its many
years the monastery was often multi-faith,
housing monks of several different Christian
religions.
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You will be picked up in an air-conditioned
deluxe vehicle from your hotel in
Hurghada
. Accompanied by a Egyptologist guide, you will
be taken on a tour to
St.
Antony's Monastery,
There you will have a closer look at
exceptional wall paintings of holy knights in
bright colors and the hermit founders of the
monastery in subdued colors and icons. These
wall paintings, widely know to monks and art
historians, were obscured by soot, candle
grease, oil and dust, but recently, in a
collaborated effort between the Supreme Council
of Antiquities and the American Research Center
in Egypt, these unique painting were restored.
One set of the paintings is attributed to a team
lead by a Coptic master named Theodore, while
the other appears to be done by team with
Byzantine influence. The oldest paintings date
to the seventh and eighth centuries, while the
newest are from the thirteenth century. In
addition to the paintings, woodwork inside At.
Antony's Church was also restored.
After sightseeing of St. Antony's Monastery, you will be dropped back to your hotel in
Hurghada
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Inclusion / Other info
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Inclusions |
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Hotel
pick up and drop off
Guide
Entrance fees to all
sight seeing
locations
Plan or Bus Ticket |
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Additional info |
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The tour operates with a minimum of 2 passengers.
The confirmation voucher includes the local activity operator's contact details and local telephone numbers at the destination. They will happily answer any logistical questions you may have. |
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Please Note |
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Please call the activity operator at least 24 hours prior to start of the tour for reconfirming the departure details. |
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