Simply Abu Dhabi II

CHRISTIAN MONASTERY a truly spiritual ex perience 71 SIMPLY ABU DHABI A truly spiritual experience at a Christian Monastery The UAE has a deeply fascinating history and it is one that we are eager to know as much as possible about. Being deeply spiritual, our stay at the Emirate Palace simply had to include a visit to what we now consider to be one of the wonders of the world. Worlds apart from the glossy tower blocks that characterise Abu Dhabi’s skyline, Sir Bani Yas Island, a natural island off the coast of the Western Region was the favoured retreat of the late Sheikh Zayed, founding father of the UAE. We fully appreciate why he was so passionate about this remarkable location. This region of stunning natural beauty can’t fail to captivate. One of Sheikh Zayed’s personal interests was the history of his people, and, knowing the island had been inhabited by pearl fishermen since ancient times, he allowed archaeological digs throughout his island sanctuary in the early ’90s. This decision resulted in one of the most important finds not only in the Gulf region, but possibly in the world – the discovery of the ruins of a seventh century Christian Monastery buried in the sands. This tranquil island holiday resort has long been a firm favourite amongst visitors to Abu Dhabi and now this added attraction has taken us on an intriguing voyage of discovery. Complementing the charming character of Sir Bani Yas Island, this is one exciting tourism development that we simply had to investigate. Like a breath of fresh air, we took time out from the skyscrapers and bustling malls of Abu Dhabi and travelled back in time on a thrilling adventure to the undeveloped outreaches of the emirate. 20 years after it was first discovered the remains of this Christian monastery and church on Sir Bani Yas Island opened to the public in December 2010. Believed to have been settled around 600 AD by a community of monks, this is one of the most significant archaeological finds in the Gulf and we wanted to visit this amazing site to discover more about life 1,400 years ago. Natural tourism for the spirit Amid desert islands renowned for their outdoor pursuits, wildlife reserve and five- star resort, this public unveiling of a seventh century monastery represents a unique addition to the tourism attractions on a visit to Abu Dhabi. Located on the eastern coast of Sir Yani Bas Island, the 65sq m monastery would have been visible to pilgrims sailing along trade routes to India. Inspired by a bygone era we felt compelled to stop and pray, just as they would have done, before continuing with their journey. And are we glad we did – the peaceful atmosphere was awe- inspiring for such spiritual beings as ourselves. The outlines of the monastery walls are all that remain of the building today, but this is no pile of rubble. Steeped in history, visitor notice boards were conveniently placed to inform us of the exact layout of the monastery and to explain what each room was used for by the monks who inhabited the building. Breathtaking displays showcased the artefacts that have been uncovered so far, including a veritable mix of bowls, glass vessels, ceremonial vases and crucifixes originating from as far afield as Iraq and India. We were rendered speechless by the beauty of many of the items and gripped to hear of the remains of a body buried in a crypt, believed to be that of a saint who may have founded the monastery and whom visitors came to worship. We were fascinated to explore the only pre-Islamic Christian site in the UAE and amongst these monastic ruins we were struck by an overwhelming sense of heritage and culture that was truly humbling. On a beguiling guided tour we were educated on the history of the monastery whilst archaeologists continued to dig into a fascinating past. Sharing in the story as they continue to excavate for artefacts and details of the past is a thrilling experience. To be part of it feels like a secret, reserved for the privileged few. It was awesome to realise that while we walked around the site soaking up the history, the archaeologists may uncover further clues into the lives and culture of inhabitants of the region in centuries gone by. A tranquil voyage of discovery The only pre-Islamic Christian site in the UAE, the site reveals how far Christianity spread in the Gulf region during the seventh century and we felt honoured to hear about this fascinating history at the site itself. During our exhilarating visit, we couldn’t fail to be captivated by this beautiful ancient site. We have visited many stunning places in Abu Dhabi, but to be given an insight into the rich heritage of Sir Bani Yas Island and the UAE was truly incredible. The monastery is only one of 35 archaeological sites on the island – the oldest dating back some 7,500 years – so if a visit to the monastic ruins hypnotise you, as they did us, the opening to the public of further sites in the future are sure to bring you back to this incredible region. The decision of the Tourism and Development Investment Company (TDIC) to open up the monastery for public viewing to increase the appeal of this stunning holiday resort is not simply a boon for history buffs, but for anyone wishing to soak up the rich heritage of Sir Bani Yas Island during their trip to Abu Dhabi. We were truly spellbound as we stepped back in time and were overwhelmed by a huge sense of calm and wellbeing. A&J would like to thank our tour guides for the education we were given on our incredible day amongst the monastic ruins. Having experienced it firsthand, a visit to this seventh century monastery comes highly recommended from A&J. A truly spiritual experience, we were struck by a deep peace and returned to the Emirates Palace with a sense of tranquillity feeling totally blessed.