Deir Al Adra: A Little Piece of Heaven in El Minya

Deir Al Adra

Deir Al Adra (Monastery of the Virgin), also called Gebel El Teir monastery (the mountain of birds), is perched 130m above the Nile and was formerly known as the Convent of the Pulley since when it was built, ropes were the only way of reaching the clifftop.

The Deir Al Adra monastery is located about 24 kilometers north of El Minya city and situated on the top of the Birds mountain.

Deir Al Adra: A Little Piece of Heaven in El Minya
Pictures by: Ahmed Abdeltawab

Coptic tradition claims that the Holy Family rested here for three days on their journey through Egypt. A cave-chapel built on the site in the 4th century AD is ascribed to Helena, mother of Byzantine Emperor Constantine.

Deir Al Adra: A Little Piece of Heaven in El Minya
Pictures by: Ahmed Abdeltawab

A 19th-century building encloses the cave, whose icon of the Virgin is said to have miraculous powers.

Thousands of pilgrims visit the monastery during the week-long Feast of the Assumption held there between January 29th till August 22nd.

Pictures by: Ahmed Abdeltawab

What do you think?

Avatar

Written by Sarah Galeel

Slaying while still going through a quarter-life crisis

Leave a Reply

Avatar

black and red smartphone case

TikTok Launches New Tools To Combat Bullying On The Platform

Sarrah Abdelrahman and Ahmed Hatem are Back on Screen Together with Leh Laa?! Season 2

Sarrah Abdelrahman and Ahmed Hatem are Back on Screen Together with Leh Laa?! Season 2