Deir Al Abyad, Deir Anba Shenouda, The Monastery of St. Shenute and the White Monastery are all names of this early Coptic Monastery.
It’s referred to as the White Monastery because of its very light limestone walls, the stones of which were taken from Pharaonic temples to build it in the beginning of the 4th century.

If you look closely you can see ancient reliefs still visible on the stones of this once huge monastery which at one time housed the largest library in Egypt. There is a new church in the ruins of the site located near the original church and renovations are being carried out at present.