Home          Mosques          Muslim Heritage          Personalities          Travel         Contact Us


Saint Catherine's Monastery - Sinai

History

Saint Catherine’s Monastery sits at the foot of the Mount Sinai in Egypt. The monastery it was built between 548 and 565 and it is very close to the town of Saint Catherine. Full and official name of the monastery is the Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai and it belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. 
It is one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, according to UNESCO. Catherine of Alexandria was a Christian martyr, sentenced to death on the wheel and her remains were brought here end it led to the establishment of the monastery. Emperor Justinian I (reigned 527-565) ordered to build this monastery to commemorate Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

This formidable fortification, with granite walls measuring 8 to 35 meters tall, surrounded by gardens and cypresses. Due to its remote location and castle like structure this monastery was never sacked in its history.

The Saint Catherine's Monastery is seen here from the Mountain Sinai
The Saint Catherine's Monastery is seen here from the Mount Sinai
This monastery is very close to the town of Saint Catherine
This monastery is very close to the town of Saint Catherine
External walls of the monastery
Walls of the Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai
There are towers build in the walls of the monastery
There are towers build in the walls of the monastery
These wooden balconies were used to hang the basket from the holes
These wooden balconies were used to hang the basket from the holes

Inside of the Saint Catherine's Monastery

Wooden balconies on the external walls of the building are used to hang the basket from the holes so monks could take things from the outside without having to come down. A continual supply of fresh water is provided to the monastery by the Well of Moses, which taps an underground spring. According to tradition, this stands on the very spot where Moses met his future wife, Zipporah, after protecting her and her sisters from an aggressive group of local shepherds. 
In it’s courtyard, a stone comes from the Sinai Mountain and it had preserved plant fossils. I saw few children and traders who were selling these stones beside the monastery.

Bell Tower & Mosque

Bell tower at Saint Catherine’s Monastery is a neo-Classical bell tower, built in 1871 by one of the monks, Gregorius. It houses nine bells given by the Tsar of Russia. The Fatimid mosque, completed in 1106 on the site of a Crusader chapel, is located to the southwest of the basilica.

This small door gives provides access to the church
Well of Moses at the Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai
Here Moses is depicted leading his people out of Egypt
Here Moses is depicted leading his people out of Egypt
This photo depicts the historical events from the past
This photo depicts the historical events from the past
This covered area has no information or sign on it - may be it was a part of the reservoir or spring to provide water
This covered area has no information or sign on it - may be it was a part of the reservoir or spring to provide water
A stone with preserved plant fossils
A stone with preserved plant fossils
Bell tower at Saint Catherine's Monastery with the minaret of a mosque in the background
Bell tower at Saint Catherine's Monastery with the minaret of a mosque in the background
The Fatimid mosque, completed in 1106 on the site of a Crusader chapel
Some murals on the walls date from the Crusader period and the 16th century
Some murals on the walls date from the Crusader period and the 16th century
Towering walls of the monastery seen from the inside
Towering walls of the monastery seen from the inside

Burning Bush

While grazing his flocks on the side of Mt. Horeb, Moses came upon a burning bush that was, miraculously, unconsumed by its own flames. A voice speaking out of the fire (Exodus 3:1-13) commanded him to lead his people out of bondage in Egypt and return with them to the mountain.

Olive Trees

There are olive trees in one of the courtyards of the monastery, some believe that this was the site where Moses’s future wife was grazing her flock. Outside the walls is the Monastery Garden, created over many years by the monks. Soil was brought here from other parts of the country. The garden contains fruit trees including olives, apricots and plums and produces a variety of vegetables.

The Burning Bush at the Saint Catherine's Monastery Sinai
The Burning Bush at the Saint Catherine's Monastery Sinai
This bush has a historical significance in all three Abrahamic religions
This bush has a historical significance in all three Abrahamic religions
Olive trees in one of the courtyards of the monastery
Olive trees in one of the courtyards of the monastery
Some believe that this was the site where Moses's future wife was grazing her flock
Some believe that this was the site where Moses's future wife was grazing her flock
Some of the trees are few centuries old
Some of the trees are few centuries old
A bush similar to the Burning Bush
A bush similar to the Burning Bush
This door opens to an open garden
Outside the walls of the monastery lies the Monastery Garden
Outside the walls of the monastery lies the Monastery Garden
The garden contains fruit trees including olives, apricots and plums
The garden contains fruit trees including olives, apricots and plums
This area is mainly inhabited by the Bedouins and they use trucks to move pilgrims and other goods between the different parts of the Sinai
This area is mainly inhabited by the Bedouins and they use trucks to move pilgrims and other goods in Sinai