Nestled in the Syrian Desert, far from the well-trodden paths of Damascus and Aleppo, lies one of the Middle East’s most extraordinary spiritual treasures: the Monastery of St. Moses the Abyssinian, or the so-called Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi. Hidden high in the Qalamoun Mountains east of Al-Nabk.Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi is one of Syria’s most extraordinary and inspiring destinations.This hidden gem offers travelers a profound glimpse into Syria’s rich religious heritage and provides an experience that transcends ordinary tourism.
Mar Musa is located approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Damascus, making it a perfect day trip for those staying in the Syrian capital. The journey itself is part of the adventure, winding through the dramatic landscapes of the Syrian Desert.
Located about 80 km north of Damascus, Deir Mar Musa is accessible by road via Al-Nabk.
Originally founded in the 6th century. It was restored in the late 20th century.The heart of the monastery is its remarkable church built in 1058 AD.
The ideal times to visit Mar Musa are during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when the desert climate is most pleasant. Summer can be extremely hot, while winter may bring occasional snow to the higher elevations.
In a world rushing toward modernization, Mar Musa reminds us of the timeless values of peace, and human connection.This hidden gem is not just a destination, but a journey into the heart of Syria’s spiritual legacy. This ancient monastery stands as a witness to over a millennium of Christian heritage and human devotion in the Syrian desert. The complex features stunning Byzantine architecture.Visitors can join in meditation, and peaceful walks through the monastery’s serene courtyards.
Ancient frescoes depicting biblical scenes and saints’ figures.The peaceful monastic church and sanctuary.breathtaking overlooks of distant mountains.Cultural and spiritual programs for visitors.
Bring comfortable walking shoes.Dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees).Keep noise down during prayer.Ask permission before taking photographs inside the church.Enjoy every moment while you are in Syria.
If you’re planning a unique journey into Syria’s spiritual heart and historic soul, Deir Mar Musa should be at the top of your bucket list
Discover Syria with Syria Scope Travel in a whole new way.Don’t wait any longer; schedule your trip to Syria today!
For more information about Syria, please get in touch with us today! Alternatively, check out our extensive range of group Syria tours.
| Share This Post!
Sign up and get the latest travel news monthly.
Josh Lulu was our tour guide in Damascus in October 2022 and she was the best guide we could‘ve hopefully for! We had a tight schedule so we asked to see as much as possible, which she happily obliged to. She has a very interesting background, knowing every last bit of the city, its culture, history and food! She speaks multiple languages, including Japanese (!) and was just a fantastic guide to have. 10/10 would recommend. Samantha Echeverria An extraordinary and humbling experience. From start to finish the whole experience was an adventure, learning of the Syrians deep history gives a great insight to their collective strength and dedication to their culture. To walk the same footsteps as mentioned in the Bible and Quran is profound and indescribable. Overall I was incredibly humbled by my experience in Syria. Thank you again for the experience of a lifetime, and I look forward to coming back to Syria soon 🤲🏼 Per Sommer Jeg rejste tre dage sammen med Tambi i det nordlige Syrien. Det var en uforglemmelig oplevelse. Sammen besøgte vi Homes, Krak de Chevaliers, Maloula, Aleppo, Arward Island og Apamea. Ikke bare er Tambi blevet en god ven, men han har også en kæmpe viden om de steder, som vi besøgte. Et af højdepunkterne var også at være på besøg hos Tambi i hans lejlighed og møde hans kone. Her fik vi te, kager og en god snak om oplevelserne under den lange krige. Jeg kan kun give Tambi mine varmeste anbefalinger. Marco Arenas I was in Syria a few years ago doing a little tour with Ayoub and the experience was amazing, Ayoub and his team were marvelous guides all around the country, making the most of the trip. Their service is amazing. I highly recommend Ayoub because he is reliable and well-organized. I am looking forward to coming back to Syria! Junaidi I recently had the pleasure of exploring Syria with Tambee as our tour guide, and I can't recommend him highly enough. Tambee’s deep knowledge of Syria's rich history and culture brought every site we visited to life. His passion for the country was evident in the way he shared stories and historical insights, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. Tambee’s professionalism and attentiveness were remarkable. He ensured our group felt safe and comfortable at all times, handling all logistics seamlessly. His ability to navigate the complexities of travel in Syria, combined with his warm and friendly demeanor, made our journey both smooth and memorable. What I really love is his knowledge of Islamic History. The way he told me the History of Islam while we are standing on the historical site itself just gave me goosebumps. He can make the history comes to life. In summary, Tambee is an exceptional tour guide whose expertise and dedication significantly enhanced our Syrian adventure. If you're planning a trip to Syria, do yourself a favor and contact Tambee. You won't be disappointed! Joel Lara Everything on the tour was amazing. Whatever you need to feel comfortable, they will go out of their way to make sure you feel okay. Tambi was our tour guide and I honestly would not have switched anything about it. He is one of the best tour guides I’ve ever met. Someone that is really passionate about sharing the past, present and future of Syria. You need to book your trip to Syria as soon as possible. There is so much history to be seen in this country. Do yourself a favor and don’t listen to what western media would say about this country. Saying it’s all about terrorism and dangerous, that’s a HUGE lie, go see for yourself how kind and loving those people in Syria are. As for the war in Israel, it feels really safe in Syria. You going there gives people hope for a better future. Visa costs depend on nationality. As a US citizen my Visa was pretty costly 220$. It was WORTH IT! Cymbie Lumbao Syria was definitely on our list of country to visit. It exceeded our expectations! Syrians are the most hospitable and warmest people we have ever met. The history is amazing! Tambee is our tour guide and Tayseer is our driver. They are the best! Tambee is very passionate about his country and their history. We felt really safe and well taken care of. We would definitely visit again. We went in for a tour of Syria and came out with a lifelong Syrian friends! 🙏🏽🇸🇾 thank you for a wonderful experience! Shukran! Rahul Mudumba Tambee was fantastic, and made sure I had an incredible trip! Filippo Volpato Tambee was the most exquisite guide we could have ever wanted. Always attentive, extremely knowledgeable and open to adjust the itinerary based on your interests (expect surprises for you!). Hopefully we will be back to this beautiful country, that Tambee made us fall in love with. Michael Van Arragon Ask for Tambee! There is so much to learn about the history and future of our shared humanity in this important and beautiful country. I travelled 10 days across a large part of Syria and wish I could've stayed. Tambee who emphasizes the "intangible" is a talented and enthusiastic story teller with an amazing personal connection to the people and culture. He will help you come away with a big picture appreciation of everything youre seeing and with a specialist's attention to detail; help you deepen your own sense of what is happening today in the region. These are some seriously friendly people- a visit to Syria like this one is so special.
u003cstrongu003ePost Authoru003c/strongu003e
Ayoub Al Smadi
Ayoub boasts over five years of tour guiding and tour operator expertise. he has a master’s degree in planning and managing sustainable tourism development, and his cheerful, vibrant personality makes every moment with him fly by unnoticed.
Everything travelers need to know about drone regulations in Syria, including permits, airport rules, and touristic usage guidelines.
