Mar Saba Monastery (Bethlehem) FAQs In 2026 - 2027

Mar Saba Monastery is an ancient Greek Orthodox monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley in the West Bank, near Bethlehem. It was founded by Saint Sabas of Cappadocia in 483 AD and is one of the oldest inhabited monasteries in the world. The monastery holds significant religious, cultural, and historical importance.

Mar Saba Monastery is located in the West Bank, approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) to the southeast of Bethlehem, Israel. It is situated on the edge of the Kidron Valley, in the Judean Desert.

Mar Saba Monastery is open to visitors, but there are restrictions on who can enter certain parts of the monastery. Traditionally, women are not allowed to enter the main compound, but they can visit the Women's Tower near the entrance to get a view of the monastery. Men are allowed to visit the monastery itself, but they are expected to adhere to a modest dress code.