St. Simeon Monastery and the Tombs of the Nonles

St. Simeon Monastery and the Tombs of the Nonles. The name pf the Mpmastery gpes back to the Saint Simeon who lived between the fourth and fifth Centuries AD , who insisted on keeping himself pure by not marrying and having any physical contact at all, he really enjoyed staying in the Monastery and praying with the Monks. On the West Bank of the Nile in Aswan which is uninhabited the Desert expands right up to the edge of the water. There is very little in ways of any sort of development along the shoreline, but there are several small attractions that make taking the Ferry ride across the River worth doing so, Wanting to escape tp the meditative peace of the Desert the Coptic Monks established the Monastery of St. Simeon. The Monastery also accepted the Journeys of the Muslim Pilgrims who were coming from the Meghreb which translates into Morrocco, in the past and those who were journeying through Egypt on their way to the Hejaz Region, where they stayed for a while and enjoyed the food and drink which were offered to them. So because of his love for this Place he engraved some of the Names of the Pilgrims on the Inner Walls of the Monastery. The Complex which was rebuilt at least once before it was totally abandoned through the Thirteenth Century, although the Monastery remains in unexpectedly good condition given it not being used for a long time. To protect the Monks from the Bedouin Raiders and other attacks and threats the Complex was walled and the mudbrick and Stone Walls make a striking Sight as you approach it. It gives rise to thoughts of a Medival Fortress more than a Religious place. Remnants of a Church, a Stable and other constructions which were essential to the Simple way of Life for the Monks, By taking the journey to St. Simeon it is worth also making a visit to see the Tombs of the Nobles. The Tombs which are cut into the Riverside Cliffs close to Kitchener’s Island are the Burial Grounds of the Old and Middle Kingdoms for the important people of the Ancient Town of Swenet that stood on Elephantine Island. Also there are Tombs from much later during the Roman Era.