Mar Saba Monastery

More remarkable and isolated than Herodian is the Mar Saba Monastery. Carved into the walls of a remote canyon, the extensive monastery complex stands precariously above the sewer-esque Kidron River. The monastery was built opposite the cave, marked by a cross, where St. Saba began his ascetic life in 478 AD. The attractive bones of St. Saba are on display in the main church. Women are strictly forbidden to enter and must view the chapels and buildings from a tower near the monastery.

Men must wear long pants and long sleeves to be admitted. To enter the monastery, pull the chain on the large blue door. Once inside, you’ll be given a five-minute tour in English by one of the monks. The monks occasionally ignore the doorbell on Sundays and late in the afternoon; try to arrive early on a weekday. There is no entrance fee, but it is customary to make a contribution. (Open daily 7am-l lam and 1:30pm-5pm.) You need to hire a private taxi from Bethlehem to get here.