World Heritage Identification Number: 90
World Heritage since: 1979
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇪🇬 Egypt
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Arab States
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Abu Mena: An Early Christian Holy City
Abu Mena, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Alexandria, Egypt, is a significant archaeological site that holds immense historical value due to its role as a major center for early Christian pilgrimage. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the site comprises various structures built around the tomb of Saint Menas, a third-century martyr from Alexandria.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The church, baptistry, basilicas, public buildings, streets, monasteries, houses and workshops in this early Christian holy city were built over the tomb of the martyr Menas of Alexandria, who died in A.D. 296.
Encyclopedia Record: Abu Mena
Abu Mena was a town, monastery complex and Christian pilgrimage centre in Late Antique Egypt, about 50 km (31 mi) southwest of Alexandria, near New Borg El Arab city. Its remains were designated a World Heritage Site in 1979 for the site's importance in early Christianity. There are very few standing remains, but the foundations of most major buildings, such as the great basilica, are easily discernible.Additional Site Details
Area: 182.72 hectares
Coordinates: 30.8358333333 , 29.66666667
Image
© Einsamer Schütze, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
