Monastery · red-sea · 4th century CE onward; continuously inhabited
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At the foot of the Red Sea mountain where Anthony lived as a hermit stands this monastery, counted among the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world.
Also known as: Deir Mar Antonios · Monastery of Saint Anthony
c. 285 CE: Antony withdraws to the Eastern Desert, an event traditionally counted as the beginning of Christian eremitism.
4th century onward: disciples gather at the mountain, and a settled monastery forms around his memory.
Middle Ages: the compound is enclosed by defensive walls; springs and gardens sustain continuous habitation.
Within its high walls the monastery keeps churches, a spring-fed garden and the cave chapel associated with Antony on the mountain above.
