St Catherine's Monastery, South Sinai, Egypt In the shadow of the rugged & remote Mount Sinai lies the world's oldest continuously operating Christian monastery of St Catherine's,
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Contributor:
Barry Iverson / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
DR5D5PFile size:
17.2 MB (413.4 KB Compressed download)Releases:
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3008 x 2000 px | 25.5 x 16.9 cm | 10 x 6.7 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
18 September 2006Location:
St. Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai, EgyptMore information:
This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.
St Catherine's Monastery, South Sinai, Egypt In the shadow of the rugged & remote Mount Sinai lies the world's oldest continuously operating Christian monastery of St Catherine's, established in the 6th century. However, the valley first rose to prominence in the 4th century when it was inhabited by hermits from throughout the Byzantine Empire who sought refuge in the wilderness near Mount Sinai. Moses received from God the Ten Commandments on the summit of Mt. Sinai (7497ft/2285m). The exhilarating and challenging expedition to the summit are by two main routes, the more strenous of which is the pilgrim's route, believed to have been established as early as the 6th c., which involves climbing some 2500 steps, passing on the way the simple Chapel of St Elias. On the summit are a small chapel and a small mosque. At the NE corner of the crag on which the chapel stands visitors are shown a hollow in which Moses stood when God appeared to him. Beside the mosque is a cistern-like cavity in which, according to Muslim tradition, Moses lived for 40 days, fasting, while writing down the Law on two tablets. From the summit there are breath-taking views of the wild and desolate surrounding country, extending SW beyond the highest peaks of Sinai to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba and NW over the hills of southern Sinai. In addition, the recently opened museum presents to the visitors a tastefully displayed number of its priceless treasures, now made easier accessible to the increasing number of tourists and pilgrims that travel to the monastery, many coming on day trips from 5 star hotels at nearby Sharm el Sheikh.