Beyond the Mausoleum of Aga Khan, Monastery of St. Simeon is situated on a hill
in the desert on the west bank of the Nile River. It is one of the largest and
best-preserved Coptic monasteries in Egypt. Monastery of St. Simeon was founded
in the seventh century and was dedicated to Anba Hadra-a fourth century monk.
Also known by the name of Deir Anba Sim'an, St. Simeon was the name given to
the monastery by the archaeologist. According to the earlier Arabic and Coptic
sources, this monastery was called as Anba Hadra.
At present most of the monastery is in ruins but still some of its main features
are well preserved. Monastery of St. Simeon has valuable architectural significance,
the most important are the church associated with the Monastery and the tower.
The large number of tombstones in the monastery cemetery provides invaluable
sources about the early Christian tombstones of Nile Valley.
Monastery of St. Simeon is divided into two natural terraces on two levels
by a cliff. A relatively thin high wall of 6 meter encloses the terraces that
occupy near about a hectare of land along with two gates that provide access
to each terrace. The lower portion of the wall is made up of rough stone while
the upper portion is of unbaked bricks.
The original caves belonging to the saints of the monastery and the church
with its baptistery belongs to the lower terrace of the monastery. Within the
monastery lies the church that was probably built during the first half of the
11th century. It is the oldest church of its kind in Egypt. The domes of the
Church are octagonal in shape having two largest domes covering and dividing
the nave, which is lined with pillars, into two square areas. The structural
arrangement of this church was the unusual arrangement for Coptic churches.
The Upper terrace of the St. Simeon monastery consists of the tower or the keep.
The tower of the monastery is of unusual size and is a three- storied building.
While the cemetery associated with the monastery contain about 200 tombstones
dated back to 6th century to 9th century.
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