Within the mesmerizing mountain of El-Mokattam, where this monastery was sculpted, lies one of the most iconic Coptic artifacts in Egypt.

The scene I get upon entering this monastery makes the hard journey where I’ve had to pass by Cairo’s garbage city all worth it – where else can one find a monastery sculpted into a mountain?

In addition to visiting the monastery, there’s a number of activities that you can do in the mountainous area like rock climbing, zip-lining, high roping and low roping.

The story of this monastery is about St. Simon the Tanner who was the man behind the miracle of moving El-Mokattam mountain from the east of Cairo to its current position. The area includes 6 churches, all of which have their own stories and design. The icons and the Bible verses sculpted on the walls of the mountain are some of the most notable characteristics of the monastery, it’s a work of art and an architectural wonder. This place is a must-visit for everyone visiting Cairo.