Saint Catherine Monastery, Byzantine monastery at Mount Sinai, Egypt
Description
Saint Catherine Monastery sits at the foot of Mount Sinai in South Sinai, a fortified Byzantine complex with high stone walls and a central church topped by a dome. Within the walls, several chapels, monk quarters, and a bell tower spread across the terraced inner courtyard.
History
Emperor Justinian I founded the complex in 548 to shelter Christian pilgrims drawn to the site of the biblical burning bush. Over the centuries, treaties with Muslim rulers protected the community, allowing it to endure as a spiritual center.
Culture
Mount Sinai rises directly behind the walls, and many visitors take the steep climb to its summit to experience sunrise over the desert. Monks continue living within the compound following long-established routines, tending gardens and conducting services in the chapels.
Practical
Visitors reach the complex through organized tours that typically begin in the morning and involve a drive of roughly two and a half hours through the desert. Those planning to climb the mountain should start well before sunrise to complete the ascent in time.
Did you know?
The library houses over three thousand ancient manuscripts, including texts in Greek, Arabic, Syriac, Georgian, and Slavonic languages. It ranks as the oldest continuously operating library in the world, second only to the Vatican in its collection of religious texts.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (South Sinai Governorate).
European religious architecture spans over a thousand years, from the Middle Ages to the present day. This collection includes monasteries and buildings constructed in a variety of styles, from Romanesque to Gothic, Baroque to Rococo, and innovative modern designs still under development. Some are...
Mount Sinai
1.9 km
Mount Catherine
5.5 km
Archdiocese of Sinai, Pharan, and Raitho
59 m
Saint Katherine Protectorate
1.1 kmAbu Madi
73 m
Saint Catherine Area
46 m
St. Moses-Kapelle
1.9 kmGreek Orthodox chapel (Mount Sinai)
1.9 kmScenic viewpoint
4.3 kmRuins
1.6 kmScenic viewpoint
1.9 kmAbo Jeefa Viewpoint شرفة أبو جيفة
4 kmScenic viewpoint
917 mMoses mountain
1.9 kmBronze Age Tombs
25.7 kmRuins
27.9 kmRuins
10.7 kmGranja Orgánica Pegaso
1.9 kmRuins
1.5 kmRuins
1.3 kmRuins
1.4 kmRuins
1.2 kmRuins
954 mRuins
983 mRuins
653 mWayside cross, Eastern Orthodox Church
641 mCascade
1 kmChemin d'accès seulement pour les aventuriers
1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes