What Can You Do in Sohag, Egypt?

An ancient cemetery used by the Egyptians for high-ranking officials and royal staff. Sohaq, Egypt has 13 discovered tombs and continues to be a subject of much study.

The Red Monastery

What is notable about Sohag? It is usually not included on budget tours in Egypt but is still a popular location among luxury tours. Sohag’s two greatest features for tourism include the Church of the Red Monastery, called Deir el-Ahmar, which is a Christian church dating back to the 6th century. Indeed, Sohag has a great population of Coptic Christians.

Interestingly, though the Red Monastery is one of the most famous Christian monasteries in the entire country, very little is actually known about its history. (Many of the details that are presumed come from corroborating evidence from the White Monastery) Its name comes from the color of the construction material, which is made from red or burnt brick. The monastery is believed to have been built in about the fifth century A.D.

What makes the Red Monastery unique is its collection of age-old architecture, sculpture, and paint, which were presumably from the late antique period, and possibly contains some of the oldest surviving artifacts of its kind. Inside the monastery you can find the Church of Saint Pshoi situated in the northeastern corner. The Church of the Holy Virgin Mary in the southwestern corner of the building is a very antiquated church as well as an ancient well just to the west.

The White Monastery

In contrast to the Red Monastery is the White Monastery, named for its limestone walls. Its design is similar to that of a Pharaonic temple and was grandly conceived. It is believed that at one point over 4,000 monks used the temple, considering that it was one that covered well over 12,000 acres.

Visitors can still see some evidence of old facilities of the monastery like kitchens, storehouses, cells and a second church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Not a lot is left of the glory of the original White Monastery, and most of what you will see is actually considered the jewel section of the original monastery. One of the best features of the White Monastery is the impressive dimensions of the building; it standing at 172 feet long and 76 feet wide.

It should be noted that one of the best features of the ruins, the church's beautiful interior murals, are currently going under restoration work by permission of two organizations, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the American Research Center in Egypt.

Sohag may not have the luxury tours feel that you might expect from other Egypt hot spots, however, if you enjoy learning about history and culture then this capital is a must-see destination.

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