St. Saba Monastery

A drive of about 7 kilometers east of Bethlehem down a winding road takes you to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Mar Saba. The founder, St. St.

Built into a cliff, it has a spectacular view overlooking the gorge of the Kidron Valley and was part of the grand tour of Palestine during the 19th century. Saba, came from Cappadocia in the fifth century. There are legends about St. Saba having lived in a cave with a lion for many years. Saba died at age 94, and his co**se is still preserved in the Church at the monastery. The monastery has 110  ...