St. Catherine’s Monastery is located near Mount Sinai two hours drive from Sharm el-Sheikh , in the center of the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. Around the monastery there are only lifeless mountains and desert, so the majestic monastery appearing out of nowhere makes a strong impression. UNESCO listed the monastery as a World Heritage Site in 2002.
History of the monastery
The Monastery of St. Catherine is one of the oldest active Christian monasteries in the world. It was founded back in the 4th century at the foot of the biblical Mount Sinai (Horeb). It was here that God appeared before Moses in the flames of a bush (such a bush) and told him to lead the Jews to this mountain so that they would believe in him. Moses fulfilled the request and here the Jews received the first “Commandments of God.”
Stone walls of the monastery of St. Catherine’s on Sinai were built in the 6th century.
In the 6th century, around the monastery that spontaneously arose near Mount Sinai, on the orders of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, stone walls were built and the monastery turned into a real fortress. But these walls would not have saved him from the Arab conquests if the prudent monks had not gone to Medina in 625 to the Prophet Muhammad for protection. The Prophet personally issued a safe conduct to the monks – the firman of Muhammad. No one dared to break this promise, therefore, both during the rule of the Arabs and during the Ottoman Empire, the monastery enjoyed broad autonomy and did not pay taxes. In the entire history of its existence, it has never been destroyed or robbed. This is an amazing precedent in world history.
The Sinai monastery received its name “Monastery of St. Catherine” in the 11th century, since from the 8th century the relics of St. Catherine of Alexandria were kept here, whose worship at that time began to gain momentum.
Bell tower of the monastery of St. Catherine at Mount Sinai
How to get there, what to see?
Every year the monastery is visited by hundreds of thousands of people, mostly pilgrims, but also many tourists from around the world. The most convenient way to get here is from Sharm el-Sheikh (about 2 or 3 hours drive through the desert by bus or car ). The main relics of the monastery are the Burning Bush bush and the relics of St. Catherine. There is also a unique museum of icons and manuscripts (the largest collection, second only to Vatican). Please note that tourists have access only to some rooms of the temple, so they will not be able to explore the entire monastery complex.
Pilgrims who venerated the relics of St. Catherine are given a ring with the image of a heart and the inscription “St. Catherine” as a gift. It is better to buy souvenirs on the territory of the monastery in the official store. It will be cheaper there than outside the walls of the monastery. There is a cafe at the entrance to the monastery, but the prices there are very high. Don’t forget to ask your hotel for a packed lunch for the trip, it will come in handy and you can have a snack on the way.
Inside the Monastery of St. Catherine. Access is not available to all premises.
Climbing Mount Sinai
Excursions to the Monastery of St. Catherineon Mount Sinai are sold in Sharm from local agents and tour operators. They come in two types – with and without climbing Mount Sinai. Children, elderly people and people with health problems should not take an excursion to Mount Sinai. Here you need at least a little physical preparation, because you have to walk about 6 km. up the steps up the mountain. Climbing the mountain is carried out at night, before visiting the monastery, so be sure to take warm clothes, because in the mountains it will be cold at night even in summer! But if you’re lucky, you can see the sunrise on the mountain, it’s very beautiful. Tourists are allowed into the monastery after the service, at 8 am. At 12:00 the monastery closes for tourists. You are not allowed to enter in shorts. Women also need to wear a headscarf.
Inner courtyard, garden and outbuildings of the monastery
Prices for excursions
Prices for excursions to the Monastery of St. Catherine start from $30 and depend on what kind of excursion you buy (whether there will be an ascent or not, whether there will be lunch, visits to other interesting places along the way). Such a trip usually takes almost the whole day. Sometimes it is combined with a visit to Dahab (a paradise for divers on the shores of the Red Sea).
General view of the monastery of St. Catherine
