Aswan - Monastery of St Simeon DeirAmba Samaan (DeirAmba Hadra)
The ruined Monastery of St Simeon, situated on a hill in the desert on the west bank of the Nile, can be reached from the river bank on a footpath running up a desert valley opposite the south end of Elephantine; the climb takes 20 minutes. One of the largest and best preserved Coptic monasteries, it was founded in the seventh C. and abandoned in the 13th because of water shortage.
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The buildings, standing on a rock shelf on two levels, are surrounded by a wall 20-23ft/6-7m high, the lower part of which is constructed of undressed stone, the upper part of sun dried bricks; on the west side the lower part is hewn from the rock.
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Monastery of St Simeon - Lower Level
The buildings on the Lower Level (excavated and restored 1925-26) are reached by way of a tower on the east side which leads into the forecourt. To the left is a porter's lodge, to the right a large bench (mastaba) on which pilgrims could sleep.
Monastery of St Simeon - Upper Level
To the northwest of the church is a flight of stone steps leading to the Upper Level, some 16ft/5m higher up. On this level are the large three storied living quarters (qasr), the two lower floors of which are well preserved. On each floor is a large vaulted corridor, flanked by the monks' cells with their brick built beds. On the walls are Coptic and Arabic inscriptions. To the south of this block are various offices (a mill, a bakery, oil presses, store rooms, a bathhouse, etc.) and a small domed chapel.
Monastery of St Simeon Church
On the south side of the court is the Church, an aisled basilica. At the east end of the wide nave, once covered by two domes, is the large apse, with three rectangular niches under semi domes. In the central niche are the remains of a fresco depicting Christ enthroned between angels. To the right and left of the apse are Coptic inscriptions. Adjoining is the Baptistery, with a piscina. At the west end of the nave a small apse has remains of frescos. A small door at the west end of the north aisle leads into a small rock chapel with fine decoration (eighth C.) on the ceiling and a niche containing six medallions of saints. To the north and west of the church are various subsidiary buildings and small grottoes. To the southeast of the church is a court, with a tomb built against its south wall. Along the east side of the court are bedrooms, each with three beds, and other barrel vaulted rooms.
