Wall paintings
Medieval Coptic art.
The original uploader was LorisRomito at Italian Wikipedia. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Berthold Werner — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Abanoublotfy — CC BY 3.0 · The original uploader was LorisRomito at Italian Wikipedia. — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Berthold Werner — CC BY-SA 3.0 · marianna Fayez Zikry Garas — CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, in a small oasis at the foot of the Red Sea Mountains, founded in the fourth century by followers of Saint Anthony the Great, father of Christian monasticism, near the cave where he spent long years in prayer. Today the monastery is a self-contained village within high walls, with gardens, a mill, a bakery and five churches, the oldest being the Church of Saint Anthony, whose walls are covered in medieval Coptic murals whose bright colours modern restoration has revealed, among them images of Christ and warrior saints. Above the monastery in the mountain is the Cave of Saint Anthony, reached by about twelve hundred steps in some forty-five minutes, with a wide view over the valleys to the Red Sea on the horizon. Entry is free, and a monk sometimes guides visitors through its history. It usually opens from nine to five, but visits are restricted during Advent and Lent and it closes in Holy Week, so check before going, and dress modestly. It is usually combined with the Monastery of Saint Paul on a long day trip from Hurghada or Cairo.
Medieval Coptic art.
Views over the valleys.
Gardens, mill, bakery.
Red Sea Mountains, northern Red Sea Governorate, near Zafarana
Yes, most trips pair Saint Anthony's and Saint Paul's in one long day, as the drive between them takes about an hour and a half.