We didn’t know where we are going and what we should expect. The only thing we knew is that there is something interesting. Taking a taxi in Syria was very easy and super cheap, even when you pay 10 times more because of being a tourist. We just said the name and driver brought us to the place. We arrived to the mountains and in the darkness we had to find a path going up. Isolated from any town, 80 km from Damascus, on the top of the hill sits like a fortress – monastery Mar Musa.
Even though it is huge you can enter there only through very small hole, were you have to lean or crawl to get in.
Inside opened for us large corridor with temple on the left, from where we heard sounds of the celebration. Someone said that we should leave our backpacks and join them, so we did.
Mysterious celebration in Mar Musa
They put us to sit just next to the priest. Non of us understood neither the language nor the religion they cultivate. We saw everywhere carpets and people sitting on the floor without shoes, like in the mosque. On the other hand the mass looked more like Christian, we were not sure what kind though. Walls were full of beautiful frescoes showing scenes from the Bible. We felt quite ashamed not knowing how to behave and where we had come. Due to certain circumstances we came to Syria quite spontaneously, not prepared well about places we are going to visit, so it was quite a surprise.
When the celebration reached communion priest asked us to participate but we were so confused and refused the proposition. After the mass we proceeded with all the other people to another part of the monastery, where we had supper. Very tasty and home-made food prepared by locals. Indeed, the most amazing white cheese I have ever tasted!
After that we were divided into groups of around 10 people and some of them started discussions about life, God and spiritual existence. I was feeling little bit like a Jehovah followers are questioning me. Later this strange experience one man told us to sleep in the church, because there was no more free rooms in the monastery.
In the morning we finally saw the place in the full light as well as learned information about it. Fortress was perfectly masked, because it is made from same rocks as the surrounding mountains. I really don’t understand why there were millions of flies! It was unbearable! Maybe they were brought to practice strong will and patience of the newcomers…
Everyone is welcome in Mar Musa Monastery
Mar Musa Monastery used to be a Roman watchtower to observe the way from Damascus to Palmyra, being also on a silk road. The legend says that monastery was established by saint Moses the Abyssinian in VI century. It is a Syrian Catholic Church which is truly involved into multi religious dialog. Everyone is welcome to come, just visit or stay longer to clear the mind, pray and talk with people. There is no fee, everyone can give what he wants, money, food or prayer. Incredible place to discover yourself and exchange thoughts with other people.
The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.
Nie miałam jeszcze okazji tam być, jednak choć za pomocą tego wpisu, tak przy porannej kawie, mogę nasycić podróżnicze zmysły. Bardzo chętnie wybiorę się tak kiedyś w realu, klasztory mają niesamowity klimat, który mocno przyciąga. 🙂
Ciekawe czy wjazd do Syrii będzie jeszcze kiedyś możliwy…
Filozoficzne dysputy o życiu – brzmi jak pomysł na ciekawy scenariusz filmu przygodowego 🙂 Ciekawi mnie bardzo historia Waszej podróży do Mar Musa. Jak to się stało, że tam trafiliście?
No tak teraz to już muszę opowiedzieć tą szaloną historię. Otóż jechaliśmy tam z Turcji w dwóch grupach po 6 osób. Grupa 1 ze mną w składzie za moją namową pojechała autostopem – około 1000km z miejsca, w którym przebywaliśmy w Turcji. Grupa 2 jechała samochodem, a w jej składzie Turek, który miał być naszym przewodnikiem po Syrii, bo był tam nie raz. W związku z tym to on przygotował plan podróży a my po prostu się na to zgodziliśmy i nie szukaliśmy na własną rękę co tam oglądać. Kiedy moja grupa była już na granicy z Syrią dostaliśmy wiadomość od drugiej, że mieli napad na auto i ukradziono im paszporty… I tak oto wjechaliśmy do Syrii bez przewodnika, znając tylko nazwy miejsc, jakie powinniśmy odwiedzić, a nie wiedząc co tam w ogóle jest. Tak trafiliśmy do klasztoru 🙂
wow, klasztor w Syrii- nie sadze, ze wielu uda sie tam kiedyklowiek dotrzec, szacun 🙂
Sounds like a truly one of a kind experience!
It was amazing experience, totally surprising!
It looks so seen there. I love monasteries, so much history. Too bad about the flies, there is nothing l hate worse and l would have freaked out for sure.
Yeah flies were overwhelming. Difficult to bear with. Maybe that helps people to practisse their strong will 😉
This sounds like a beautiful and peaceful place. The view from the monastery looks amazing too!
It is beautiful and really calm and spiritual
Mar Musa sounds like a gem. You are very lucky to have been able to visit.
I too, feel incredibly grateful for having visited Syria before the country was enveloped in chaos and violence. If the country becomes safe again (which hopefully it will soon) I will surely be back. And next time, I’ll be sure to add this monastery to my list.
I also hope it will be peaceful soon, this is horrible what is happening there. 🙁
Calm peaceful interiors! I have seen similar ones in Meteora in Greece.
Several such monasteries in the mountains. Never slept in a monastery though.
MOnasteries in Greece must be awesome as well! I must go there! Thanks for sharing Indrani
That looks amazing. Especially the location.
Monastery is well camuflaged, it just looks like a part of the mountains.
This must have been a really amazing and spiritual experience.
It was indeed. Specially that we didn’t know what to expect, emotions were even stronger.
Wow it looks so beautiful! I bet it’s so fascinating to check that out!!
It’s amazing that you were able to travel to Syria and experience such a beautiful place. I am sad that not many can venture there now. It truly was a blessing and your pictures are lovely.
Thank you Janine. I was really lucky indeed. Went there just before the war started.
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Ciekawa wycieczka, warta polecenia
To musi byc niesamowita budowla. Wnetrza zachwycają.
Wow bardzo mistyczne I tajemnicze miejsce. Uwielbiam taki klimat, zawsze pozostawia w nas nutkę niedopowiedzianej historii.