At Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts, discovery stretches far beyond the shoreline. Home to the extraordinary Arabian Wildlife Park and three distinctive resorts, the island is also a land of remarkable history. Recently, that history has been illuminated once more with the discovery of a 1,400-year-old Christian cross, unearthed during excavations at the ancient monastery site on the island’s eastern coast.

Archaeologists discovered this well-preserved plaster cross, adorned with regional motifs, as one of the most significant finds since they uncovered the monastery in 1992. It offers a rare insight into the early Christian community that once thrived on Sir Bani Yas Island, enriching the cultural narrative of the UAE and underscoring the long-standing traditions of coexistence that continue to define the region.

The monastery: A window to the past
The monastery complex on Sir Bani Yas Island is believed to date back to the 7th century and remains one of the oldest known Christian sites in the Arabian Gulf. Excavations have revealed the architectural plan of a church, complete with a sanctuary, nave, and northern and southern aisles, as well as living quarters where monks once resided. To the east, raised platforms mark Christian burial sites, while pottery shards, glass vessels, and plaster fragments uncovered nearby tell stories of a community that was both devout and connected to wider trade networks.

For modern visitors, walking through the monastery is a journey into a world that once thrived on faith, simplicity, and resilience. The outlines of walls, courtyards, and foundations reveal the rhythms of monastic life where prayer, study, and daily survival intertwined. Each section of the complex, from kitchens and dormitories to burial sites and cisterns, adds another layer to the understanding of how this community lived more than 1,000 years ago. The discovery of the plaster cross further enriches this picture, offering a tangible link to the spiritual life of those who once gathered here.

Access and guided discovery
Today, Sir Bani Yas Island continues to preserve and share this heritage with visitors. Complimentary access to the monastery site is available daily at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, inviting guests to explore the preserved ruins at their own pace. The serene surroundings encourage quiet reflection, offering travellers the chance to step into the island’s history and feel the echoes of devotion that remain.

For those seeking deeper interpretation, Anantara offers the Culture & History Tour, a 1.5-hour guided experience available twice daily at AED 395 per adult and AED 195 per child. This curated journey extends beyond the monastery, visiting the mosque and uncovering archaeological sites that span centuries, weaving together the story of Sir Bani Yas through its cultural traditions and enduring ties to the sea. Guests also discover the ancient practice of falconry, a heritage deeply rooted in Emirati culture and the region’s identity. With expert storytelling, the guided tour brings the stones and artefacts to life, weaving a living narrative of faith, trade, and human resilience.

“This package is more than sightseeing,” says Jonathan Olsen, Activity Guide of Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island. “Culture and history tour allows us to immerse our guests in the history of the island as far back as the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, to the Industrial Age, to the current age.”

Where heritage meets hospitality
Anantara crafts every aspect of the experience on Sir Bani Yas Island to fully immerse guests in the destination’s unique ambience. The monastery visits and guided cultural excursions complement a wide array of experiences that define the island: wildlife safaris across vast savannahs, desert adventures by horseback, marine excursions on turquoise waters, and moments of tranquillity in beachfront or desert villas.

This unique combination of heritage, nature, and hospitality ensures that a stay at Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts is more than a holiday; it is an invitation to journey into Arabia’s authentic past and present. From ancient ruins to roaming gazelles, every moment reveals a deeper connection to the island’s living history.

Unforgettable journeys await.

For more news visit our site: Click here