The journey of the holy family’s route consists of 25 stops that means that the total length of the route is almost 3500 Km.
Moreover, it crosses various regions in Egypt such as Sinai, Minya, Cairo, and Asyut. That is why the Tourism and Antiquities Ministry initiated various projects for developing and upgrading the several stops of the journey of the holy family’s route including churches, sites, and chapels.
A huge number of churches have been restored such as St Sergius and St Bacchus Church (Cairo), and Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Martyr Abanoub (Gharbia) alongside upgrading the holy and religious sites in Wadi El Natrun (El Behira). Virgin Marry’s Tree and Spring of Water (Cairo) were restored as well.
Other projects contained paving the roads to the Center of Religions (Cairo), restoring Maadi Church, and establishing rest spots for tourists and visitors nearby the site (Cairo), founding gift shops, a garden, and cafes nearby Kafr El Sheikh Church (Kafr El-Sheik). Moreover, securing the main roads that lead to the touristic and religious sites in Minya (Minya).
On the other hand, the ministry prepared all required files and documents for enlisting the journey of the holy family’s route stops on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This project carries various benefits such as developing many sites at the same time in Delta and Upper Egypt.
It will share in increasing the number of visitors to those sites by encouraging visitors to follow this spiritual journey.
Motivating tourists to spend more time in Egypt is one of the project’s goals too as it will direct the visitors to check various local parts of Egypt.
Furthermore, this project will strengthen Egypt’s position as a center of religions and cultures.
Contributed by Rana Atef
