Mar Saba Monastery

Saint Lavra of Saint Sabbas, known in Arabic and Syriac as Mar Saba and historically as Laura the Great of Saint Sabas, is a Greek Orthodox monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley in Bethlehem's Prefect of Bethlehem. Palestine, in the West Bank, at a point between Bethlehem and the Dead Sea. The monks of Mar Saba and those belonging to the outbuildings are known as Sabates.

Mar Saba is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world, and it still maintains many of its ancient traditions. One, in particular, is to restrict women from entering the main complex. Women are only allowed to enter the Women's Tower, which is located near the main entrance.

This Greek Orthodox monastery, which dates back to the 5th century, is the oldest and most austere in the Holy Land. The monastery houses the relics of Saint Sabbas. The relics were captured by Latin crusaders in the 12th century and remained in Italy until Pope Paul VI returned them to the monastery in 1965 as a gesture of repentance and goodwill towards the followers of the faith Official. Mar Saba Monastery is the second most beautiful of the most beautiful historical sites in Palestine.

Location: Bethlehem Governorate of Palestine