Monastery of St. Paul

Paul of Thebes is described in tradition as the first Christian hermit, living alone in a desert cave for many decades before Anthony found him, and the monastery grew around that cave in a valley of the Eastern Desert. The cave church is the heart of the place, a low irregular rock chamber reached down steps and covered in wall paintings, with the saint's tomb inside; the paintings there and in the other churches span several centuries and have been conserved in recent decades. The compound is walled and fortified with a keep reached by drawbridge, built against raids, and includes mills, a refectory and a spring. It is smaller and quieter than St Anthony's and the setting, in a bare valley below high cliffs, is the more dramatic of the two.

What you actually see

• The cave church - a rock chamber painted floor to ceiling around the saint's tomb.
• A fortified keep - reached by drawbridge from the monastery wall.
• Conserved wall paintings - several centuries of work cleaned in recent projects.
• The desert valley setting - bare cliffs enclosing the compound.

When to go

October to April. Half a day, generally paired with St Anthony's in one long day from Hurghada, Ain Sokhna or Cairo. Closed to visitors through Coptic fasting periods; confirm before travelling.

Honest expectations

Fasting-period closures are frequent and long. The cave church is low, cramped and dark, and can be uncomfortable for taller visitors or in a crowd. Modest dress required and photography restricted. There is no public transport and no facilities beyond a small shop.

Nearby

St Anthony's Monastery is north; Zafarana and the coast road are east.