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Saint Catherine’s Monastery (Μονὴ τῆς Ἁγίας Αἰκατερίνης) is the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery in the world. It’s located at the foot of Mount Sinai in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.
St. Catherine’s Monastery sits behind the walled Fortress of Justinian. It was built between 548 and 565 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The official name is the Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai (Ιερά Μονή του Θεοβαδίστου Όρους Σινά). It’s part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Saint Catherine Area.
The monastery, which is run by Greek Orthodox monks, is named for St. Catherine of Alexandria, whose remains were found nearby in the year 800. It has the oldest continuously operating library in the world, and the second largest religious library in the world after the Vatican.
Tours
I’ve visited the monastery twice. Once was on a day trip from Sharm el-Sheikh in February 2013, while the other was on a religious pilgrimage in November 2022.
From Sharm, there are two tours available, one that leaves the night before to climb Mount Sinai and another one that leaves in the morning to visit the monastery only. You can book either tour through your hotel or any travel agency in Sharm. Lunch at a restaurant in St. Catherine’s is included. If you’re in decent physical shape and want to get the full experience, it’s extremely well worth it to do the overnight tour. You won’t regret it.
Visiting
The monastery is open to visitors every day except Fridays, Sundays, and Greek Orthodox holy days. The visiting times are very restricted. It opens at 9am and all guests must be out of the complex by noon. Visit the official site for more info on visits.
Church
Inside the church are the relics of St. Catherine and other saints along with some incredible icons. Time is very limited due to the flow of visitors in and out of the church. I had less than a minute to enjoy the moment and was not allowed to take any photos. The bell tower of the church was built in 1871.
Burning Bush
The monastery encloses the actual Burning Bush purportedly seen by Moses. Nearby is a museum with the Achtiname, a letter containing a handprint from the Prophet Mohammad ordering protection of the monastery. The museum charges an extra fee. I didn’t have enough time to visit on either trip.
Well of Moses
It’s also possible to see the Well of Moses. According to scripture (Exodus 2:15-22), Moses helped the seven daughters of Jethro (Reuel) get water from this very well. Jethro let Moses take one of his daughters, Zipporah, as his wife. Surrounding the well are several icons of the life of Moses.
Mosque
Next to the church is a mosque built in November 1106. It was a gift from Shahan Shah el-Afdal of the Fatimid Caliphate and was in frequent use until the 13th century. Today, it’s only used on special occasions. St. Catherine’s is the only Christian monastery in the world that also has a mosque.
Archaeological Site
Outside the monastery is an archaeological site. It was undergoing excavation at the time of my first visit.
Bedouin
I thought it was odd but there wasn’t one monk in sight when I was at the monastery. Instead, local Bedouin are in charge of security, controlling visitors, collecting donations, and selling items in the gift shop. These Bedouin are called the Jebeliya Bedouin and are actually descendants of Greek and Roman soldiers from the Black Sea region of Pontus.
The soldiers were sent by Justinian to guard the monastery in the 6th century. They later mixed with the local Bedouin and converted to Islam, but some elements of their unique culture are alive to this day, such as their skill as craftsmen and gardeners. The local Bedouin live in harmony and understanding with the monks at the monastery and uphold their ancient duty of protecting it. Many also speak Greek.
Guesthouse
On my second trip to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, I spent the night at the guesthouse. It consists of single or double rooms surrounding a beautiful courtyard. There’s a small café and dining room where dinner and breakfast are served. WiFi is available for a fee, but the signal doesn’t reach much further than the office.
The rooms are very simple with basic amenities only. There’s a closet, lamp, and hot shower only. I only had a few hours of sleep because I had to wake up for my hike up Mount Sinai, but I still felt rested. It was completely silent and peaceful, and it was also nice and chilly.
