Wadi El-Natrun

Explore the ancient beauty of Wadi El Natrun, Egypt's historic oasis, where centuries of culture, spirituality, and natural wonders converge. Discover tranquil monastic life, rich heritage, and serene landscapes in this desert oasis.

Written by ETP TEAM

Published Jun 17, 2021 Updated Jul 06, 2024 13 min read

Summary

Wadi El-Natrun is a unique valley in the Egyptian Sahara with salt marshes, natron salt deposits, freshwater marshes, and alkaline lakes.
It is one of the three Christian Monastic centers in the Desert of Nitria and played a crucial role in the growth of early Christian monasticism.
The valley is located 100 km northwest of Cairo and is accessible by car or through guided tours.
Wadi El-Natrun has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters, making it ideal for exploring ancient monasteries and natural wonders.
The valley is home to four active Coptic monasteries, including the Monastery of the Romans, Anba Beshoy Monastery, the Monastery of the Syrians, and the Monastery of St. Macarius.
The area's historical, cultural, and natural significance, including its natron resources and fossil discoveries, attracts tourists and researchers from around the world.

Wadi El-Natrun is a magical and celestial wonder that rose like a beautiful flower from the core of the Egyptian Sahara to provide natural wealth that affected the growth of ancient Egyptian civilization across the ages. This celestial and enriching depression is found in the northern part of Egypt and is recognized for containing salt marshes, natron salt deposits, freshwater marshes, and alkaline lakes in Egypt. That is not all regarding the amazing El-Natrun Valley as it is one of the three Christian Monastic centers that are located in the Desert of Nitria.

Wadi El-Natrun is known by the name "Scetis" and it is mainly known today for its gorgeous ancient monasteries the valley around Wadi El-Natrun is called "The Desert of Scetis". The area of Wadi El-Natrun is best known for the large amounts of fossils that were discovered thereof pre-historic animals and that attracts tourists from all around the world.

Wadi El Natrun Location and How To Get It

The Wadi El Natrun is a legendary valley found 23 m (75 ft) below sea level and 38 m (125 ft) below the Nile River level, just 100 km (62 mi) northwest of Cairo. The valley is very accessible as the best way to reach the valley is by car ride from Cairo.

The most ideal way to get to Wadi el Natrun is by booking a tour with a skilled travel agency that will provide a seasoned tour guide across the religious, natural, and historical attractions.

Wadi El-Natrun Geography

Wadi El-Natrun is a name given to a desert valley which is located along El-Tahrir Markaz, west of the Nile Delta around 10 Km west of Sadat City’s entrance on the desert road between Cairo and Alexandria. The deepest point of the valley reaches around 24m below the level of the sea.

There are 12 lakes in the village whole color is reddish-blue. The best way to reach it is by a private air-conditioned car provided by “Egypt Tours Portal” travel agency from anywhere you are in Giza or Cairo since the wadi is only 100 Km North West of Cairo.

Wadi El Natrun Weather

Wadi El Natrun experiences a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summers are extremely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C). Winters are milder, making it a more comfortable time to explore the area. The climate helped the area to transform into a natural habitat for transaction religious structures made from material found in the area that stood against the face of the harsh environment of the desert.

Average Degree of Wadi El Natrun Along the Year

Month	Average temperature (°C)	Average rainfall (mm)	Average humidity (%)
January	10	5	50
February	12	10	45
March	14	15	>40
April	18	10	35
May	22	5	30
June	26	0	25
July	30	0	20
August	32	0	15
September	28	0	20
October	24	5	30
November	18	10	40
December	14	15	45

The weather does not stand as an obstacle for enjoying the thrilling discovery adventure across all of its massive buildings and natural hidden pockets that were left highly preserved.

Wadi El Natrun Monasteries

The historical significance of Wadi El Natrun is incredible as it is very connected to the rise of early Christian monasticism. Around 330 AD, a Christian monk by the name St. Macarius the Great brought Christianity to the area which led to the creation of many monastic communities which held many facilities like monasteries.

Wadi Natrun is home to four active Coptic monasteries: the Monastery of the Romans, Anba Beshoy Monastery, the Monastery of the Syrians, and the Monastery of St. Macarius. These monasteries welcome visitors and contribute to the study of Coptic heritage, including literature, art, and architecture. The region is easily accessible from Cairo, making it one of the popular tourist attractions in Egypt for tourists and researchers alike.

1- The Monastery of al-Baramus

Also known as the Monastery of the Romans, is believed to be one of the first monasteries in Wadi al-Natrun. It is found around 9 km northeast of the Monastery of Saint Pishoy which was founded in 335 A.. by Saint Macarius the Great, and it's dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its name is derived from the Coptic Christian Pa-Rameos meaning "That of the Romans". The name "Paromeos" has various theories, including references to Saints Maximus and Domitius, Roman Emperors Arcadius and Honorius, and more.

Its origin is somewhat disputed, with various traditions suggesting it was named after Roman saints or a Roman monk named Arsenius. Saint Macarius consecrated the cell of two Roman brothers, and it is associated with their martyrdom. The monastery faced attacks and rebuilding, with notable residents such as Saint Moses the Black and Saint Arsenius. It played a significant role in supplying leaders to the Coptic Church, including popes like Christodolos and Matthew III and IV.

2- Monastery (Deir) al-Anba Bishoy

It is located in Wadi el-Natrun and was founded by Saint Bishoy in the 4th century. this monastery became significant in 841 when Pope Joseph I of Alexandria fulfilled Pishoy's wish by moving his and Paul of Tammah's remains from the Monastery of Pishoy in Deir el-Bersha to the Monastery of Saint Pishoy. Saint Bishoy, a devout man, joined the Monastery of Seetis at a young age and was known as Abbot Bishoy the Jeremian due to his fondness for the book of Jeremiah. He had close spiritual ties to Saint John the Little and experienced visions of Jesus Christ while living a solitary life in a cave. The monastery is fortified with a keep built in the fifth century to protect it from Berber attacks.

The original castle was replaced by a four-storied castle constructed by Pope Shenouda III. The monastery also features the Well of the Martyrs, where Coptic tradition holds that Berbers washed their swords after killing the Forty-Nine Martyrs of Scetis. These martyrs' bodies were later retrieved by Christians and buried in the nearby Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great. from 1971 to 2012, the monastery underwent significant developments, including the purchase and development of surrounding land, restoration of ancient buildings and churches, and many more construction works.

3- The Monastery of the Syrians (Deir al-Surian)

Founded in the 6th century, is linked to Julian's heretical doctrine, which emphasized the incorruptibility of Christ's body. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is known for being mainly used by Syriac Orthodox Church monks from the 8th to the 14th century, hence its modern name, the Syrian Monastery. The Syrian Monastery was founded by monks from the Monastery of Saint Pishoy who rejected this heresy. In the eighth century, it was purchased by Syriac merchants, leading to its use by Syrian monks. the Syrian Monastery across history, faced attacks by desert Bedouins and Berbers, with significant damage occurring in 817 AD.

It was rebuilt in 850 AD by two monks named Matthew and Abraham. In the following centuries, it became prosperous, known for its artistic treasures and a library rich in Syriac texts. The British Museum acquired a significant number of Syriac manuscripts from the monastery's library between 1839 and 1851, leading to research on the Syriac language and culture. The monastery also provides a unique opportunity to study Coptic wall paintings, with ongoing restoration projects.

4- The Monastery of St. Macarius

Also known as Deir Abu Magar is 92 kilometers northwest of Cairo, along the highway between Cairo and Alexandria. This ancient monastery date around 360 AD which was made by Saint Macarius of Egypt and has been continuously inhabited by monks since its establishment in the 4th century. It holds historical significance as the spiritual home for numerous early Christian saints and fathers, including Saint Macarius of Alexandria, Saint John the Dwarf, Saint Paphnutius the Ascetic, Saint Isidore, Saint Arsenius, Saint Moses the Black, Saint Poemen, Saint Serapion, and many others. It began as an informal structure and later became a significant center of the Coptic church. The monastery was rebuilt and expanded after attacks by Berbers. It houses relics of numerous saints and martyrs, including Saint Macarius the Great and Saint John the Little.

This monastery maintains spiritual, academic, and fraternal connections with various monastic communities worldwide, including those in Belgium, France, Italy, Lebanon, and England. The Monastery of Saint Macarius is also known for housing the relics of numerous saints, including the Forty-Nine Martyrs of Scetis. During the restoration of the main church, the crypts of Saint John the Baptist and Elisha the Prophet were discovered beneath the northern wall, confirming the authenticity of these relics in accordance with Coptic Orthodox tradition. Around the 60s and 70s, a massive restoration process made all the efforts to preserve its spiritual and architectural aspects.

Wadi El-Natrun Importance

Wadi El-Natrun was a very important site for the ancient Egyptians as it provided the ancients with the necessary carbonated sodium that was needed to accomplish their mummification processes because of the great number of salts that could be found in the area in addition to the fact that the Romans used to extract the village for glass.

Wadi El-Natrun became a sanctuary for Christianity during the 4th century and the Christians there started to develop the area in a monastic order. The area became a well-known Coptic attraction to visit in Egypt for the amazing 10 monasteries that were established there and only four of them managed to survive through those many centuries. The four surviving monasteries are:

Anba Bishoy Monastery
Baramun Monastery
Abu Makar Monastery
El-Suryan Monastery

Moreover, El-Natrun Village is one of the Egyptian attractions on the list of UNESCO under the name "Southern & Smaller Oases, the Western Desert".

Wadi El Natrun Hotels

The Wadi el Natrun area is a magnificent attraction that is able to shed light on the epic culture, natural history, spiritual magnificence, and history of Egypt. There are many incredible and comfortable hotels in Wadi El Natrun that offer a variety of options for travelers. The most ideal option for all travelers will solely depend on your needs and budget. If you are looking for a comfortable hotel with good facilities, Spectra Inn Hotel or Green Desert Hotel are good options.

Spectra Inn Hotel: is a marvelous 3-star hotel located a few kilometers from the Wadi El Natrun monasteries. It offers comfortable rooms and a magical restaurant with a good selection of Egyptian and international dishes.
Green Desert Hotel: is a delightful 4-star hotel located in the Sahara outside of Wadi El Natrun. It has spacious rooms with desert views. The hotel also has a spa and a swimming pool.
Remal Wellness Resort: is a phenomenal 5-star resort located in the desert outside of Wadi El Natrun; famous for offering a variety of relaxing activities, such as yoga, meditation, and horseback riding. The resort also has a spa and a swimming pool.
El-Hammra Eco Lodge: is an eco-lodge found in the golden desert, also outside of Wadi El Natrun. It offers simple but incredible rooms with heavenly desert views. The lodge also has a marvelous restaurant and a swimming pool.

Wadi El Natrun Lakes

The word wadi is Arabic for the valley which is due to that the entire area is flat land surrounded by many lakes. The wadi of El Natrun holds about 12 magical lakes which contain a total surface area of 10 km.

The average depth of the lakes is around two meters. What makes these lakes unique is their unique color which is reddish blue. The water of the lakes was formed from the rainwater of the desert storms.

These lakes and the surrounding area are also important for birdwatching and wildlife, serving as a habitat for various bird species and other wildlife. Wadi El Natrun is a protected area, and it is of interest to ecologists and environmentalists due to its unique ecosystem.

Wadi El Natrun Culture

The culture of Wadi El Natrun is highly impactful as for ages the valley has gained the reputation of being a source of natural wonders as the entire area is rich with salts and carbonates of sodium that were used for mummification.

The ancient Romans extracted from the area silica for the making of glass and even during the British occupation period, a railroad system was built to relocate the salt from the wadi to Cairo. The religious culture of the valley is influenced by the Coptic Christian faith because of the number of religious monasteries.

Wadi El Natrun Camp

Wadi El Natrun stands as one of the best camping spots in Egypt that uncovers the divine beauty of an array of different types of attractions that come in every shape color and purpose. All these wonders will come to life during your camping trip thus uncovering some very special tales and facts about rare periods in the history of Egypt and also nature.

Camping in Wadi El Natrun can be a popular activity for those seeking a closer connection to the natural environment and all the divine religious attractions. There are areas where visitors can set up camps, but it's important to be prepared for the desert conditions and to follow any local regulations.

Wadi El Natrun Facts

Wadi El Natrun's name is derived from the salt and natron deposits found in the area.
The valley played a crucial role in ancient Egypt's mummification process due to its natron resources.
The wadi has contributed to the study of Coptic heritage which shed light on the rich literature, art, and architecture of the time period.
Wadi Natrun is home to four active Coptic monasteries: the Monastery of the Romans, Anba Beshoy Monastery, the Monastery of the Syrians, and the Monastery of St. Macarius.
The monasteries in Wadi El Natrun have a rich history and continue to be important centers of Coptic Christian spirituality.
The area has a space of 265.7 sq mi (688.2 km2) and the region's alkaline 12 lakes support a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds.
The area has massive numbers of fossils of large pre-historic animals in Egypt which was discovered around the first century AD.
Wadi El Natrun's historical and religious significance draws tourists and pilgrims from around the world.

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