Saint Catherine Area, Egypt

Saint Catherine Monastery, Sinai, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katharinenkloster_Sinai_BW_2.jpg
Author: Berthold Werner


Saint Catherine Area describes the location of the Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine, which is on the foot of Mount Sinai. This was where, according to the Old Testament, Moses received the Tablets of the Law.

The Saint Catherine Area is sacred to three religions - Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine was founded here in the 6th century. It is the oldest Christian monastery still functioning in the world. The monastery was erected in the Byzantine style, and has an impressive collection of Christian manuscripts and icons. It is perched against a rugged terrain where there are numerous archaeological and religious sites and monuments.

Saint Catherine Area was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 26th session of the World Heritage Committee which was held in Budapest, Hungary, on 24-29 June, 2002.

Saint Catherine Monastery, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Catherine_Sinai.jpg
Author: Joonas Plaan

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 28 33 22.428 E 33 58 31.548 in South Sinai, Egypt
Inscription Year: 2002
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: I, III, IV, VI Icon of Saint Catherine, Saint Catherine Monastery
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Icon_of_Saint_Catherine.jpg
Author: Orthodox33

Visiting Saint Catherine Area

It is best that you make arrangements with a tour operator. Tourists arrive by road. They get there from Dahab (2 hours/150 km away), Sham el-Sheikh or Nuweiba (both 3 hours away). You would need a Sinai pass for visiting the places in Sinai.

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