Monastery of Saint Mary Deipara

Monastery of Saint Mary Deipara tickets: which one to buy

The Syrian Monastery, Deir al-Surian, lies in Wadi el-Natrun, a desert valley about a hundred kilometres north-west of Cairo, off the desert road to Alexandria, and entry is free, with donations welcome. It is one of four ancient Coptic Orthodox monasteries still active in the valley, which was one of the cradles of Christian monasticism. Visitors are usually shown around by a monk, who explains the history and the frescoes.

Day trips from Cairo often combine two of the monasteries, typically the Syrian Monastery and the nearby Monastery of Saint Bishoy, and a driver or tour is the easiest way to get there. Visits are not possible during periods of fasting, such as Lent, when the monasteries close to visitors. Modest dress is required, with shoulders and legs covered, and women may need to cover their hair. A driver from Cairo can wait while you visit both monasteries, and the trip takes about two hours each way.

Visiting Monastery of Saint Mary Deipara: what to see

The monastery was founded in the sixth century and later acquired by Syrian monks in the eighth century, who gave it its name, and it became a centre of learning, with a famous library of Syriac manuscripts, many of which are now in the British Library and the Vatican Library. The monastery is surrounded by high walls and includes several churches, a keep for refuge during raids, cells and gardens. The Church of the Virgin Mary holds medieval wall paintings, restored in recent decades, including scenes of the Annunciation, the Nativity and the Dormition, in a mix of Coptic and Syrian styles, and a carved wooden screen inlaid with ivory.

A cave, said to be where Saint Bishoy prayed, is shown, and a tamarind tree grows in the courtyard, said to have sprung from the staff of Saint Ephrem the Syrian. The keep, a tall tower, contains a chapel and storerooms, and it was reached by a drawbridge. The Church of the Virgin's half-dome paintings show the Annunciation with angels and prophets. The monastery's library once held manuscripts collected from Syria and Mesopotamia. The ancient ivory and wooden screens, carved with crosses and patterns, are among the finest in Egypt. The courtyards have date palms and olive trees. The monks' cells are simple rooms around the walls. The monastery's walls rise high above the desert. A modern guesthouse welcomes retreatants.

Monastery of Saint Mary Deipara opening hours and the best time to go

The monastery is open to visitors on most days, but it closes during Coptic fasting periods, including the fifty-five days of Lent before Easter and other fasts, so check before travelling. The desert is very hot in summer, and the best time to visit is from October to April. Fridays and Sundays bring Egyptian Coptic families and pilgrims. The monasteries are peaceful, and visitors should keep their voices low. Allow about an hour for the Syrian Monastery, and combine it with the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, a short walk away, on a day trip from Cairo. The Monastery of Saint Macarius, the oldest in the valley, can be visited by arrangement and lies a few kilometres away.