Hotels near Saint Catherine's Monastery
Saint Catherine, Egypt
Saint Catherine's Monastery sits 1,570 m above sea level at the foot of Mount Sinai, founded in 565 CE under the orders of Byzantine emperor Justinian I. It is the world's oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monks - 25 Greek Orthodox brothers from the Brotherhood of Sinai - still maintain the original library of 4,500 manuscripts including the famous Codex Sinaiticus.
Inside the walls you can visit the 6th-century Basilica of the Transfiguration, see the Burning Bush (a living bush descended from the original biblical plant), and tour the Sacred Sacristy with its golden icons. Entry is free but the monastery only opens 9:00 AM-12:00 PM Monday to Thursday and Saturday (closed Friday, Sunday, and Greek Orthodox holidays). Modest dress required.
Pro Tip: Combine the monastery with the Mount Sinai sunrise climb - tours leave Sharm at 11:00 PM, climb to the summit by dawn, then visit the monastery on the descent. Booking the combination saves around USD 30 versus separate trips.
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