#monasteries
On the outskirts of Cairo is a 60 kilometer desert depression called Wadi el-Natrun. A safe refuge for those who seek solitude, Wadi el-Natrun houses Coptic monasteries that are a testament to the resilience of the Coptic Christian community in Egypt. Wadi el-Natrun, or the Valley of Salt, dates back to ancient Egypt. The region contains large alkaline lakes that accumulate natron-rich salt deposits. The mineral was used in the mummification ceremonies in ancient Egypt, and was also used by…