3 Coptic Monasteries Opened in Qena Governorate after Restoration

Dr. Osama Talaat, head of the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Anba Biyan Bishop of Naqada and Qus, inaugurated three antique monasteries in the city of Naqada in Qena governorate.

The three monasteries are: the Monastery of Angel Michael, Monastery of Anba Basantos and Monastery of Mar George, the complex at Hager Naqada district.

Experts had completed the restoration and maintenance works which took three years.

The abbots of the monasteries and a number of officials in the governorate attended the ceremony of the opening.

Dr. Talaat explained that the monasteries of Naqada represent a distinct model of the architecture of the Coptic monasteries in southern Upper Egypt. They were built of brick and mud bricks with exquisite architectural formations.

Dr. Talaat pointed out that the restoration work revealed the emergence of distinct architectural elements, in addition to many granite columns.

The restoration work in the three monasteries included the restoration of the two chapels s of Archangel Michael and the Virgin, in addition to strengthening the foundations and treating the mud bricks of all the walls.

The experts changed the electricity grid and treating the floors of these chapels. They also reinforced, strengthened the walls and arches bearing the domes of the church and rehabilitated the site to receive the worshipers.

It is noteworthy that the city of Naqada includes six ancient monasteries, namely, the Monastery of the Archangel Michael, the Monastery of Basantos, the Monastery of Mar George the Complex, the Monastery of the Holy Cross, the Monastery of Abu Al-Leif and the Monastery of Mar Potcor

The naming of the city of Naqada with this name is due to the Coptic word (Nai Kadai), which means knowledge, then the name changed to Naqada.

The history of the city dates back to the pre-dynastic era in ancient Egypt. On this land a civilization of its first, second and third of Naqada arose according to Egyptologists.

Contributed by Ahmed Moamar