Sights in suez

Jebel Ataga (Ataga Hills) and Moses Springs Thirty kilometers southeast of Suez, on the east side of the gulf, are the Springs of Moses, which are a group of hot springs (70-84 °F/21-29 °C), some sweet and some bitter which form a small fertile oasis. One of the springs is said to be the bitter springs of Marah, which Moses made sweet by casting a tree into it (Exodus 15: 23 ff.). From this side of the gulf, there are fine views of the sea and the heights of the Gebel Ataqa Range to the west. Moses’ Springs area comprises twelve springs, situated in the extreme north of the eastern side of the Suez Gulf. Here, visitors are often overwhelmed by a sense of spiritual comfort.



St. Antony’s Monastery (Deir Mar Antonios)


The monastery is Coptic Christian and is the oldest inhabited monastery in Egypt. Hidden deep in the Red Sea Mountains and relying on springs for their water supply, it still observe rituals that have hardly changed in 16 centuries. The Monstery is accessible by special tours from Cairo, Suez or Hurghada and a stay in this monastery or St. Paul’s, can be arranged in advance. 


St. Antony’s Monastery, which lies at the foot of Al-Qalzam Mountain near Al Zaafarana, was founded in 356 AD, and is the oldest active monastery in the world. During the sixth and seventh centuries, many monks from Wadi Natroun, who were under frequent attacks by Bedouins, migrated to St. Antony’s. Today, it is a self-contained village with gardens, a mill, a bakery and five churches including St. Paul’s, the best of which is St. Antony’s. The Monastery has exceptional wall paintings of holy knights in bright colors and the hermit founders of the monastery in subdued colors and icons. The oldest paintings date to the seventh and

eighth centuries, while the newest are from the thirteenth century. There is also a library with over 1,700 handwritten manuscripts.


St. Antony’s Cave (magharah), where he lived as a hermit, is a 2 km hike from the monastery and 680 meters above the Red Sea. It offers stunning views of the mountains and the sea, and the chance to see a wide range of bird life.