Religious Tourism in Egypt: The Holy Family Route

Egypt holds a unique place in a world that is famous for its religious tourism. Apart from a great number of Pharaoh monuments, Egypt has a great Christian history and culture. The most famous and respected Christian destination in Egypt is the recently reconstructed 3,500-km-long ‘Holy Family Route’. Its goal is to follow the steps of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph the Carpenter, and the young Jesus who have fled to Egypt to avoid the cruel pursuit of King Herod.

They have escaped from King Herod and crossed the dry desert of the Sinai to seek refuge along the banks of the Nile. They spent more than three years in Egypt, passing through the northern ports, the Nile Delta, the modern cities of Old Cairo, and the highlands of the Copts. Today, the government of Egypt, together with the Coptic Orthodox Church, has reconstructed 25 places of the Holy Family and made them one of the most popular religious destinations in the world.

Northern Entry and the Nile Delta Sanctuaries

According to tradition, Our Lady, St. Joseph the Carpenter, and the young Jesus entered Egypt from the south of the Sinai desert, heading west toward the fertile towns of the Nile Delta. This part of the journey is known by many early Christian miracles and the first encounters with pilgrims.

Tell Basta and Mostorod

It is said that near Tell Basta (the ancient Bubastis), the idols of the pagan city fell when Jesus was entering the walled city as a little boy. Some distance along the road, the Virgin Mary asked Jesus to bless the spring which then provided water for the Holy Family. Headed toward modern Greater Cairo, the Holy Family arrived at Mostorod. Here, the Virgin Mary bathed the young Jesus and washed his clothes. The locals named the place Al-Mahamma (the land of bathing), and the ancient church built over the site welcomes thousands of Christian pilgrims every year.

Samannoud and Sakha

Further west in the central Delta is Samannoud, where the residents welcomed the Holy Family with a celebration. Inside the Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Abanoub, a 5th-century Virgin Mary’s Granite Trough is exhibited, as well as the well-wished water. Closer to the western edge of the Delta is Kafr El-Sheikh, the village of Sakha, where the Bikha Isous (The Footprint of Jesus) monument is located. On a rocky slab is the footprint of the infant Jesus, which was found by accident 30 years ago. Locals claimed that the villagers had hidden the footprint from the pursuing Jews.

Old Cairo: The Spiritual Hub of the Route

On their way south, the Holy Family hid in the Old Cairo villages along the Nile Delta. Therefore, this territory occupies the central place in the Coptic Christian world. Encircled by the ancient Roman Babylon Fortress, the Coptic Quarter possesses several early Christian catacombs and underground crypts.

The Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga): Built in the 4th century AD, this church is strategically located above the crypt where the Holy Family spent several weeks of their journey. The pilgrims have an opportunity to see this unique underground stone chamber where St. Joseph the Carpenter prepared food for the Holy Family.

The Hanging Church (Al-Muallaka): Surrounded by excellent examples of ancient Roman architecture, the Hanging Church is a masterpiece of Coptic engineering. Suspended from the roof of the Roman fortress, its wooden ceiling is carved in the shape of Noah’s Ark. Also, beautifully carved ivory iconostases and an impressive collection of ancient icons are worth noting.

Matariya and the Sacred Sycamore

In the northern part of Giza, the suburb of Matariya possesses Mary’s Tree (Shagarat Mariam) where the Virgin Mary rested. The tree’s shade covered the Holy Family, and the water blessed by Jesus flowed from the spring to water the balsam trees. The oil of these plants was used to make the holy anointing oil for the entire Mediterranean region. At the Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi, the pilgrims can see the ancient stone steps leading to the water of the Nile. From this city, the family fled on a sailboat made of wood down the river to Upper Egypt. In the crypt of this church, a Bible found in the River Nile in 1976 is exhibited, which pointed out that “Blessed be Egypt my people” (Isaiah 19:25).

The Desert Monasteries of Wadi El-Natrun

On their way to Upper Egypt, the Holy Family went through the western desert of Wadi El-Natrun (Scetis). It was here that St. Antony the Great (the Founder of the Monastic Life in Egypt) saw the family and decided to dedicate his life to Jesus. He was joined by many other monks from the city. Thus, four great monasteries were built in this territory:

Deir Anba Bishoy: The monastery of St. Bishoy’s belongs to the fortified ancient ones, with preserved parts of the keep tower (hisn) and tranquil courtyard crypts, where St. Bishoy’s body is still lying.

Deir Al-Suryan (The Monastery of the Syrians): It is famous for its 8th-century ancient beautifully painted wall frescoes, a library of ancient manuscripts, and the Tree of St. Ephrem.

Deir Al-Baramus: Surrounded by gardens, this monastery offers a good example of medieval fortification.

Deir Abu Maqar (Monastery of St. Macarius): It is one of the oldest monasteries of the Desert Fathers.

Upper Egypt: Mountain Caves and Long Stay

The last part of the journey of the Holy Family leads to Upper Egypt, a land of white chalk cliffs rising perpendicularly from the riverbanks – the place where they spent the longest period of their stay in Egypt.

Gabal El-Teir (Minya)

Perched on a rocky cliff above the Nile, near the city of Samalut, is the rock-hewn Church of the Virgin Mary at Gabal El-Teir (Mountain of the Birds), built in 328 AD by the Emperor’s mother, St. Helena. Inside the church, the pilgrims can see the natural cave where the Holy Family took shelter. Not far from there, at Kaff El-Adra (The Palm of Our Lady), the family was sheltered from the rain, but the mountain’s rolling boulders threatened to crush the boat. When St. Joseph the Carpenter stretched his hand over the rocks, a miracle occurred – he stopped the stones by his prayers.

Deir El-Muharraq (Mount Qosqam, Assiut)

On the outskirts of the El Qusia village is the remote Deir El-Muharraq, the most notable stop on the Holy Family Route. The family spent 6 months and 10 days here – the longest stay of the Holy Family in Egypt. It is said that the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his dreams and told him to go back to the Land of Israel because King Herod was dead. The stone altar of the 1st century in the crypt of this monastery’s chapel is one of the earliest Christian altars in Egypt.

Mount Dronka

Before going back to Nazareth, the Holy Family took shelter in the huge cave in a white chalk cliff at Mount Dronka, south-west of Assiut city, to escape the seasonal flood of the Nile. Today, the pilgrims have an opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of the Nile Valley from this cliff-side Monastery of St. Macarius. This monastery is also famous for its annual big pious celebration.

Practical Information of Religious Tourists

The best time to visit Egypt is between October and April. The weather in Cairo and the Nile Delta is mild, while in the Upper Egypt mountains, it is warm enough. It is better to wear thin cotton clothes that cover your shoulders and legs at the monasteries and crypts.

To get an easy overview of the whole journey and make the most fascinating pictures, it is better to use private air-conditioned coaches or cars with professional tour guides. This mode of transport is more comfortable and faster than public buses, especially between the cities and mountainous desert monasteries.