Your Travel Experience with Travco Egypt
Monastery of St. Simon
This fascinating half-day tour takes you to a monastery near the Aga Khan Mausoleum on the west bank of Aswan, considered one of the best examples of early Christian monasteries. Once one of the largest Coptic monasteries in Egypt, it may have housed thousands of residents. Construction began in the 6th century, with much of it completed in the 7th century. Originally dedicated to Amba Hadra (also known as Amba Samaan or Anba Hadra), a bishop of Aswan and saint of the late 4th century, the monastery’s founding was inspired by his life.
After encountering a funeral procession shortly after his wedding, he was moved to live as a hermit for the rest of his life.
The monastery was rebuilt in the 10th century but was destroyed in 1173 by Saladin, who feared it could serve as a refuge for marauding Christian Nubians who had made incursions into southern Egypt.