Nitria was founded in AD 330 by Ammon and quickly attracted thousands of monks through the remainder of the 4th century.[1] By 390, it evolved from a loose collection of solitary monks to an organized community with bankers, merchants and church services.[1] Tourists from the nearby city of Alexandria came as well, even in large numbers, and many of the monks focused on servicing their needs.[1] Other monks sought more remote areas, away from tourists and merchants, and established a monastic center in Kellia twelve miles distant, in 338.