Description of the attraction
The Monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai is a Greek Orthodox monastery. It is known as the oldest monastery in the world, which operates to this day. The monastery is inhabited by Greek monks and novices.
It was founded in 527 in the place where, as legend says, the Lord appeared to Moses in a burning bush of an unburnt bush. In the 9th century, the relics of St. Catherine were found here, in whose honor the monastery was consecrated. Near the entrance to the monastery in the 19th century, a bell tower was built with the money of Russian donors, nine bells were cast by Russian craftsmen. In the annex to the main church of the monastery there is an exhibition displaying old icons and books. These exhibits are just a small part of the treasures that belong to the monastery. The central hall is separated by six pillars, where saints are depicted. The marble floor dates from the 18th century and the gilded iconostasis of the church dates from the 17th century. The relics of Saint Catherine are on the altar in a tomb covered with a white veil.
The most sacred place in the temple is the chapel located behind the altar; when entering it, you must take off your shoes. With the help of marble columns, the altar of the chapel is supported, and below are the roots of the legendary biblical bush - the burning bush. For the bush itself, there is a high pedestal outside the chapel walls.
The monastery houses a large library with over three thousand old manuscripts. The monastery garden includes a cemetery where six tombs are located, and the chapel of St. Timothy, which houses the remains of monks who have lived in the monastery for several centuries.
Thousands of tourists from all over the world visit the St. Catherine Monastery every year.
