Aswan - 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.