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INTRODUCTION
Christianity
Despite its Muslim majority, it is Christianity that offers the highest number of places of interest for the average traveller. Judged by architectural qualities and historical importance, the list is full of churches in cities and monasteries in remote areas. There are also natural sites, both the Mount Sinai and the burning bush of Moses. The Biblical story of the dividing Red Sea has Egypt as its home, but nobody has dared to make a claim where this event may have taken place.
Egypt is not that central in Christianity as some will try to suggest, since the Orthodox and the Catholic directions were developed without much saying from the church of Egypt. But with Egypt having its own independent church history, it becomes increasingly interesting to many. In one field Egypt seems to have contributed in important fields; monasticism seems to first have seen its light here, as well the act of celibacy as an expression of deep faith and committment.
Egypt's monasteries are truly fascinating, and on the top among these are the Red Sea monasteries of St. Paul and St. Anthony, quickly followed by St. Catherine's in the mountains of Sinai. The two first are highly recommended, as St. Catherine's is very crowded and open for short visits only. The string of monasteries in the Wadi Natrun is not far behind, while the monasties deeper down the Nile sees far less visitors, but should you find yourself in the region of Assyut, it would be sad to lose the Convent of the Holy Virgin.
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