Convent
St Thecla
The lower Greek Orthodox convent — grotto of Mar Taqla / St Thecla. Most shared vans drop here. Shoulders and knees; no mosque robe. Usually free or a donation; cash pounds if they ask. Stairs go to Mar Sarkis, the other door. You do not need a tour. Checked 13 September 2026.
- Hours
- Hours still disagree in 2026: an operator January list has 08:00–18:00 and no closed day; the same operator’s 2026 attractions sheet only says daytime, with chapels pausing for services. A September 2026 visitor page adds a long midday break. Sunday liturgy. Feast days fill the chapels — confirm that morning. Confirm at the door. Last seats back are a city note, not a timetable at this door.
- Ticket
- Usually free or a donation — not a DGAM first-grade ticket. A 2026 operator sheet says the same; a Tripadvisor listing is flagged Free. The January 2026 antiquities fee list, as that operator published it, does not include this convent. Carry pounds if they ask. Confirm at the door.
- Respect
- Shoulders and knees. No mosque robe. It is still a church. Do not photograph nuns without asking. Do not treat the grotto as a set. Stairs from here go to Mar Sarkis. You do not need a guide to dress or to enter.