St. Catherine’s Monastery was founded in the 6th century, around 548-565 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It was built on the site where God spoke to the prophet Moses. This sacred site, associated with Moses’ encounter, made the location a significant pilgrimage destination long before the monastery was established.

The monastery was first known as the Monastery of the Transfiguration, but its name was changed later and renamed St. Catherine’s Monastery in honor of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (city in Egypt). She was a young, cultivated lady, who was graceful and a lover of philosophy. Born in Alexandria, Egypt between the 3rd and the 4th centuries.     She is a Christian martyr who was said to have been tortured and executed for her faith in the early 4th century and According to legend, her body was miraculously transported by angels to Mount Sinai and it is also believed that Her relics are housed in the monastery.

The monastery’s architecture is a mix of Byzantine, Islamic, and Crusader influences.   It was protected from invaders and preserved its historical structures over the centuries because of its thick stone walls. The complex of the monastery includes a church, a mosque and a library that holds one of the most important collections of ancient manuscripts and religious texts in the world. The library also contains many ancient Greek, Arabic, and Syriac texts, including the Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest known copies of the Christian Bible.

St. Catherine’s Monastery continues to be an active religious site, home to a small community of monks who live and worship there. For over 1,400 years, the monastery has stood as a symbol of religious tolerance and the enduring power of faith, preserving its rich spiritual and cultural legacy.

It takes about 3 Hours including the rest stop that will take almost 15 Minutes.

You can go two thirds of the way up the mountain by camel, but the last third must be done by foot “700 steps”.

The most popular excursion in St. Catherine’s is climbing Mount Moses Sinai.

you need to have a torch, and we also recommend sensible and comfortable walking shoes. Some warm clothes will be needed when you reach the summit. And we will provide you with all of these items.

You will have approximately 4 or 5 rests while climbing the mountain. We can take an extra rest if you or anyone in the group needs it.

You can Make use of the blanket hired at the summit and enjoy stunning views. There are also some tea and snack stops on the way.

It is a significant peak in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, it’s also one of the highest points in Egypt around 2,285 meters above sea level.

Moses Mountain is named after the Prophet Moses who received the Ten Commandments from God on this mountain. In the religious tradition, Mount Sinai is where Moses had a profound encounter with God, making it a sacred site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.