Our Lady of Saidnaya
A monastery standing on a mass of rock north of Damascus. It keeps an icon that draws Christian and Muslim visitors alike, in a small chapel off the main church.
- Opening hours
- Usually open during the day; confirm on site
- Entry
- Free — there is a donation box
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Best time
- Morning; pilgrim coaches arrive through the afternoon
- Period
- Byzantine foundation — later layers
- Address
- Saidnaya, 30 km north of Damascus, Rif Dimashq
About thirty kilometres north of Damascus, on top of the rock mass that rises above the town. The founding of the monastery is placed in the sixth century and, by tradition, in the reign of the emperor Justinian. What stands today has been layered over centuries: the lower parts are old, the upper floors recent.
Getting there
Forty-five minutes by car from Damascus. Maaloula lies further along the same road and the two fit comfortably into one day. From the town, the monastery is reached by a stairway.
How long it takes
An hour, taking in the church, the chapel and the terrace.
What is there
The most visited part of the monastery is a small chapel off the main church: the icon of the Virgin kept there, the Shaghoura, held by tradition to be very old, draws vows from Christians and Muslims alike. The chapel is dim and low, and there is usually a queue inside. From the terrace above, the Qalamoun plain opens out end to end.
What most people miss
Go up to the terrace and look north. The rock ridge that Maaloula leans against is visible from there, and you see why the two places belong to the same day.
Tips
- There is a queue at the chapel; go early in the morning
- Closed shoes and covered shoulders are expected
- Do not skip the terrace — the Qalamoun plain opens from there
- Pair it with Maaloula; they are on the same road
Transparency
- How this was chosen
- Written by hand; opening hours, entry fee and coordinates are kept as data. A field that is not known for certain is marked as variable rather than guessed.
- Facts checked
- August 2026
- Last updated
- August 20, 2026