Abu Leifa Monastery
Fayoum- Cut into the mountain is Abu Leifa Monastery- discover authentic desert adventure with Real Fayoum. The inscriptions have revealed that it dates back to 686 AD and was probably founded by St. Panoukhius. The monastery was in use from the 7th through the 9th centuries.
It served as a haven for Christians fleeing from persecution. Immediately behind the Qasr El Sagha temple; and visible on the cliff face of the upper portions of the Deir Abu Leifa member giant cross-bedded sandstone, are a similar series of small man-made caves probably used for meditation. The monastery is very primitive, its entrance is cut into the mountain and consists of small caves carved into cliff sides that can be difficult to reach.
This Monastery is not inhabited but its best example shows how ancient Monasteries looked before being developed to modern looking.
