St. Catherine’s Monastery

The St. Catherine’s Monastery can be considered one of the most amazing places in Egypt both from the historical and religious points of view. It was built in the 6th century by the order of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and still retains its spiritual and historical significance after more than 1,500 years of its existence.
It should be noted that the monastery is related to the Bible story about Moses and the burning bush; that is why it is a very popular place for pilgrims of various religions.

St. Catherine’s Monastery is renowned for its excellent architectural design, ancient churches, religious relics, and invaluable historical artifacts. Some of the key structures in the monastery include the Church of the Transfiguration, which features some religious works of art, reflecting the Byzantine background of the monastery.
One of the other notable sites in the monastery is the Chapel of the Burning Bush, believed to be the spot where God talked to Moses. The monastery also has an old library filled with many valuable manuscripts and rare books.
A visitor can also see an old mosque, which dates back to the Fatimid era, located at the monastery, indicating the peaceful co-existence of different religions in the area. In 2002, St. Catherine’s Monastery was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its cultural significance in the Sinai Peninsula.

Other than its religious importance, the St. Catherine Monastery is located within the scenic environs of the Sinai Mountains. Visitors will be fascinated by the beautiful scenes of mountain ranges, valleys, and deserts.
The Mount Sinai or Jebel Musa is the most recognized landmark of the Sinai Desert. The spiritual importance and spectacular mountains scenery are the two main reasons many people travel to the Sinai Desert. Those who wish to hike on Mount Sinai can do so at dawn when they can witness the magnificent colors that appear in the sky.
The St. Catherine Protectorate around will give the visitor the chance to learn more about the unique nature of Sinai and Bedouins culture.

The St. Catherine’s Monastery is one of the unique sharm attractions of the ancient past, religion, architectural marvels, and natural wonders of Egypt. In contrast to such well-known beach resorts of the country, St. Catherine’s Monastery gives tourists the chance to discover the spiritual history of Egypt along with its breathtaking nature located on the Sinai Peninsula.

Whichever your interests may be – from ancient civilizations to photography and cultural tourism – St. Catherine’s Monastery will offer a good chance to study the diversity of Egypt's culture.

When arranging the next vacation, think about visiting this wonderful place during your Egypt tours.