A sterile container is provided, especially for receiving and containing
surgical instruments or material in sterile conditions, comprising a
receiving area formed by a container bottom and container walls, a lid
for sealing the receiving are, and a gas exchange opening which can be
sealed by a sterile filter maintained in a filter holder. In order to
simplify replacement of the sterile filter and to simplify the production
of the lid, the sterile filter and filter holder form a filter unit and
the filter holder is mounted on the lid.