The World's Oldest Continuously Inhabited Monastery

Tucked away in Egypt's Sinai desert, this ancient sanctuary has remained active for nearly 1,500 years. It holds the title of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world.

Built by order of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, the monastery has survived conflicts and historical shifts that closed countless other sites. It houses an incredibly rare collection of early Christian manuscripts and icons that have been preserved by the remote desert location. Remarkably, the monastery even features an ancient mosque built within its walls, showcasing a rare historic bridge between two major faiths. It remains a functioning site of prayer to this day.