Red Monastery

The basics

Before heading into the church, visitors enter the monastery through its high perimeter walls. Inside is a jewel-box of Byzantine art, with paintings of saints, bishops, and religious figures covering a domed sanctuary of niches and columns. Mostly painted between the 5th and 7th centuries, the now-restored frescoes are beautifully lit, adding to their splendor. The monastery also incorporates a second, newer church, and an open, pillared courtyard, which was originally part of the main church.

While visitors can visit the monastery independently, most arrive with guided day tours from Luxor, which often combine the complex with a stop at the nearby White Monastery.

Things to know before you go

• The Red Monastery is ideal for anyone interested in ancient and medieval history, art, architecture, or the Coptic faith.

• The monastery is a functioning religious community, so expect to see monks during your explorations.

• The church is a place of worship and visitors should behave respectfully inside.

• The monastery has no visitor facilities, but there is a small café nearby.

How to get there

The Red Monastery lies on the western edges of Sohag in the village of Naga Ed Deir, about 131 miles (211 kilometers) north of Luxor, which takes about three hours to drive. It’s advisable to visit via guided tours from Luxor, which include round-trip private transport. Many tours also visit the White Monastery, a similar Coptic sanctuary around 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) away.

When to get there

The monastery is open daily from morning until late afternoon. Masses are occasionally held in the Church of Anba Bishai and Bignol, but most take place in the monastery’s modern church. Be aware that these services might impact opening hours, especially around Christmas and Easter. As the monastery is largely off Egypt’s main tourist map, it’s generally quiet, although it may be busier during Luxor’s peak season from December to February.

Highlights at the Red Monastery

The focal point of the Red Monastery’s Church of Anba Bishai and Bigol is undoubtedly its triconch sanctuary—a central dome framed by semi-circular, domed recesses. Amongst the painted religious figures coating the facades are renderings of peacocks and deer, and two highly unusual images: one of a beardless, but mustachioed, Jesus and another of the Virgin Mary breastfeeding the infant Christ.