St Simon the Tanner Monastery

St Simon the Tanner Monastery tickets: which one to buy

The Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner stands in the Mokattam hills on the eastern edge of Cairo, above the district known as Garbage City, where the Zabbaleen, a Coptic Christian community of rubbish collectors, live and recycle much of the city's waste. Entry is free. The monastery includes several churches carved into the rock, the largest of which, the Cave Church, is one of the largest churches in the Middle East.

Getting there requires a taxi or a tour, driving through the narrow streets of the Zabbaleen neighbourhood, which is an unforgettable experience in itself. Tours of Coptic Cairo sometimes include the monastery, and a guide is recommended. The monastery is an active place of worship, with services on Sundays and other days. Modest dress is required. A local guide can arrange a respectful visit to the Zabbaleen neighbourhood as well as the monastery.

Visiting St Simon the Tanner Monastery: what to see

The monastery is dedicated to Saint Simon the Tanner, a tenth-century Coptic saint who, according to tradition, prayed with the Coptic Pope and moved the Mokattam mountain in a miracle before the Fatimid caliph. The Zabbaleen settled in the area in the 1970s, and a priest began building churches in the caves of the hillside. The largest, the Church of the Virgin Mary and Saint Simon, was carved into a huge natural cave and can seat around twenty thousand people in an amphitheatre-like space, open to the sky at one side. The rock walls around the monastery are carved with large reliefs of biblical scenes and saints, created by a Polish artist, Mario, and his team, which cover the cliffs. Smaller churches, chapels and a museum are also carved into the rock.

Relics of Saint Simon are kept in the monastery. The monastery's rock carvings include scenes such as the Nativity, the Resurrection and the story of the moving of the mountain. The Cave Church's altar is set against the rock, with benches arranged in tiers. Smaller churches are dedicated to Saint Paul, Saint Mark and the Virgin. The monastery includes a school and community facilities for the Zabbaleen. Visitors can see the recycling workshops of the neighbourhood on the way up. The monastery's museum displays relics and photographs of the community's history. The largest church can be used for conferences and concerts. The view from the monastery looks across Cairo to the Citadel. Candles and flowers decorate the shrines.

St Simon the Tanner Monastery opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open daily, with the busiest services on Sundays and major feasts, when large congregations fill the Cave Church. Cairo is very hot from May to September, and the best time to visit is from October to April. Mornings are the most comfortable time. Coptic Christmas on 7 January and Coptic Easter bring huge crowds. The drive through the Zabbaleen district can be slow because of narrow streets and trucks. Allow about an hour for the monastery and its churches, and combine the visit with the Citadel of Saladin, visible across the valley. The Citadel of Saladin, with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, is about twenty minutes by taxi and offers views over Cairo.