Overview:

: Abu Mena is an archaeological site of a Christian pilgrimage center in Lower Egypt. Described by UNESCO as having "outstanding universal value," It was founded in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries by Saint Menas of Alexandria. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1979. Remains of a great basilica, two churches, a baptistery, and a housing complex for pilgrims have been excavated on the site. Abu Mena contains Christian monuments that are crafted with the highest quality stone, frescos, and mosaics, and it is considered among the most significant Christian structures in the world. The complex also includes a column from a pagan temple that was later reused by the Christians, suggesting this was a sacred site for long before the arrival of Christianity. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

• The Church of Abu Mena (or St. Mena) is an ancient Christian pilgrimage site located in Alexandria in Egypt, dating from the 5th century AD. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the few surviving Roman-era churches in the country. • Abu Mena is located on the edge of the desert, near the modern village of Abydos. The site is comprised of a complex of buildings, including a large basilica, baptistery, cemetery and several shrines built around the tomb of Menas of Alexandria, who was venerated as a saint. • The Basilica of Abu Mena was the heart of the site, and was the largest church in the area. It was a two-aisled complex, elaborately decorated with floor mosaics and frescos on the walls and ceilings. The Basilica is surrounded by a portico, and former courtyard is occupied by the nearby baptistery. • The crypt is dedicated to St. Menas, and is decorated with wall paintings depicting scenes of his martyrdom. The crypt was expanded to accommodate other Christian martyrs, and is now a burial chamber for several hundred saints. • The shrines of Abu Mena were built around the Basilica, and include several chapels and shrines dedicated to various saints. In addition, there is an area set aside for pilgrims and a small museum that houses artifacts from the site. • The site has been a pilgrimage destination since the seventh century AD, and is a popular destination for modern-day Christians. The Church of Abu Mena has become a symbol of religious harmony in a region that has been plagued by religious tension over the past few centuries. The site is also home to the famous Miracle of Abu Mena, where a dead boy was supposedly brought back to life after coming into contact with the grave of St. Menas. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Church of Saint Menas (also known as the Church of Abu Mena) in Alexandria, Egypt is a Coptic Orthodox pilgrimage destination which dates back to the 4th century AD. Located about 35km west of Alexandria, the area of Abu Mena is a vast Christian monastery complex composed of churches, monasteries, shrines, and other ruins. The establishment of the monastery is often attributed to Saint Menas of Alexandria, who is believed to be the son of the Greek soldier named Theophilius, and the Egyptian woman Aquilina. Legend claims that Saint Menas was a miracle worker, and many stopped to pay tribute to him as they passed by his humble dwelling. In the 4th century, the local Bishop Peter of Alexandria declared the area to be a pilgrimage site and enshrined the remains of Saint Menas, who had died in 309 AD. This was the beginning of the development of Abu Mena as a great Christian pilgrimage site. People soon started to flock to the site, where they were healed, had their prayers answered, and were restored to health. By the sixth century, Abu Mena had become one of the largest monasteries in the Christian world, boasting more than a thousand monks. It became a major pilgrimage destination and included a number of chapels, a church, restaurants, bathhouses, and a bakery. A hospital was also established at Abu Mena in order to serve the hundreds of pilgrims who visited the site each year. The monastery was destroyed by the Muslims in the 9th century and the remains were eventually abandoned and forgotten. The site was rediscovered in the 19th century and excavations began in the 1930s. Today, the ruins of Abu Mena are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and many of the original structures are still standing. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Abu Mena was a 4th century pilgrimage site and the largest Christian abbey in Egypt. 2. It was also believed to be the burial site of the martyred Saint Menas. 3. The abbey was located between Alexandria and the Nile Delta and included a monastery, a church, a basilica and a martyrium (a shrine honoring the dead). 4. The establishment of the monastery dates back to the 300s AD and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. 5. Abu Mena was abandoned during the Arab conquest in the late 600s AD and was eventually buried by sand and eventually rediscovered in 1906. 6. Fragments of wall paintings and many statues have been found at the site as well as pottery, jewellery and coins. 7. In 2008, a team of Italian and Swiss archaeologists uncovered part of the original church, a first since 1906. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era