Summary

• Dating back to 16th century BC, Saint Catherine City was once an ancient Egyptian province and is home to the UNESCO-listed Saint Catherine Monastery, constructed during the Roman and Byzantine eras.
• Situated at the foot of Mount Sinai, the city can be reached through travel agencies providing transport with skilled guides.
• Experiences a desert climate with hot summers exceeding 40°C and cooler winters averaging 15-20°C during the day, dropping close to freezing at night.
• Located at an altitude of 1,586 meters, surrounded by Egypt’s highest mountain ranges, with a population of around 20,000. It offers a unique climate, making it a prime spot for safari tours.
• A site of importance for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, known for events from the Bible and Quran. Home to ancient churches, monasteries, and the Rock of Moses.
• The city’s culture reflects the Jebeliya Bedouin lifestyle, with agricultural prowess, unique stone-walled gardens, and architectural practices. The National Park boasts rare species and stunning hiking trails.

Saint Catherine City is a magical gem located on a mountaintop under the shadow of the holy giant rocky pillars of Sinai. The goal of this marvelous article is to offer every traveler all the information and facts about the divine Saint Catherine City. This article was written by a group of very knowledgeable and skilled tour operators, tour guides, and travel consultants who know all the information surrounding Saint Catherine City.

It is one of the only remaining active worship sites since biblical times. Many travelers from all over the world come to witness the beautiful sun rays reflecting through the top of the city in a heavenly fashion and explore the finest examples of biblical wonders between the gates of the immortal monastery of Saint Catherine city in the same site where it is believed Moses talked to God and received the ten commandments.

History of Saint Catherine City

The history of Saint Catherine city goes back to the times of the 16th century BC, and even during the early days of the ancient Egyptian kingdom; the city of Saint Catherine was part of an ancient Egyptian province known as “Deshret Reithu.”

It was an important province to the Egyptian empire in the new Kingdom of ancient Egypt (1550 – 1070 BC), providing turquoise, copper, and gold as shown by the well-preserved remains of mines and temples, one of which is dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty. The Saint Catherine Monastery was constructed during the Roman and Byzantine eras between 527 and 565 BC. It became one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Egypt due to its natural and cultural importance.

Location & How to Get Saint Catherine City

Saint Catherine has an area of 2,271 sq mi (5,883 km2), which is found in the south Sinia governorate at the foot of the Sinia high mountain known as the roof of Egypt, which is 120 kilometers (75 mi) from Nuweiba and is 1,586 meters (5,203 ft) above sea level. Everyone can get to the marvelous city of Saint Catherine by booking a travel agency that will provide all the means of a state-of-the-art vehicle with a skilled driver and a seasoned tour guide.

The Weather of Saint Catherine

Saint Catherine generally experiences a desert climate, which possesses summers that are typically hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F) during the day and cooling down in the evenings. Winters are cooler, containing daytime temperatures averaging around 15-20°C (59-68°F) but dropping significantly at night, which becomes sometimes close to freezing or below.

Rainfall in this region is minimal, with most of it occurring sporadically in winter. It’s known for its dry and arid conditions, especially in the summer, making it a popular destination for those looking to visit the historic Saint Catherine’s Monastery or climb Mount Sinai.

Geography of Saint Catherine City

The city of Saint Catherine is located on the edges of the El Tur Mountains at the altitude of 1,586 m (5,203 ft), at the footing of Mount Sinia and Saint Catherine’s Monastery, which is known as “The Roof of Egypt“, 120 kilometers (75 mi) away from Nuweiba.

The city is surrounded by the highest mountain ranges in Egypt and has a current population of close to 20,000 people. It has very low humidity and the coldest nights in all of Egypt during winter due to the high altitude, but it also offers a delightful, pleasant climate during the summer, enchanting spring, and cool winter. The geographical attributes of Saint Catherine render it one of the preeminent places for Safari tours in Egypt.

Religion in Saint Catherine City

Saint Catherine City is a place of holy importance to the world’s three major Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It is where Moses is believed to have been given the Ten Commandments from the all-mighty, where early Christianity flourished, and the Orthodox monastic traditions still exist.

It is a place that the prophet Mohammed put under his protection. Many events recorded in the Holy Bible & Quran took place in the area, with hundreds of places of religious importance in the city. The city holds two ancient churches, the Monastery of St Katherine and the Rock of Moses.

Culture and Population in Saint Catherine City

The unique blend of agricultural prowess, architectural ingenuity, and cultural practices marks the distinctive lifestyle of the Jebeliya Bedouin, which is deeply intertwined with the landscape and the monastery, thus fostering a rich and resilient community. The culture of the city is highly diverse, with deep ancient roots that were planted by the Jebeliya Bedouin, who came from southeastern Europe in the 6th century AD and migrated and settled in the area. They embrace Islam, which blends their culture with other nomadic tribes and preserves unique traditions.

Unlike many Bedouin groups, the Jebeliya are adept at agriculture, showcasing exceptional gardening skills in the wadis around Saint Catherine. Their bond with the local monastery led to collaboration, while many Bedouins worked alongside monks and worked on cultivating gardens and structures using techniques influenced by Byzantine methods. Their expertise lies in creating stone-walled gardens called Bustan or karm, employing grafting to enhance crop yields. Fruits like apples, pears, apricots, and grapes flourish due to the moderate climate, alongside medicinal herbs and wild plants.

They ingeniously use stone retaining walls and wells to harness water for irrigation, adapting to challenges like freezing wells in winter. They also utilize natural formations like boulders for houses and storage, even constructing shelters under rocks and caves across the mountainous terrain. Remnants of ancient leopard traps and symbolic engraved rocks tell stories of traditions while wishing rocks, a local legend, invite people to make wishes by balancing pebbles.

Nature of Saint Catherine City

The city of Saint Catherine National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Egypt. It was established in 1988 and declared a UNESCO World Area due to its unique high-altitude ecosystem teeming with rare species like the world’s smallest butterfly and Nubian ibex. It has a unique ecosystem containing biodiversity filled with rare plants and herbs, plus a number of wild animals like the Sinai agamas, rock hyraxes, and foxes. Preserving biodiversity focused on the Nubian ibex and medicinal plants. The protectorate once provided significant local employment but saw a decline after European Union support ended. The landscape boasts Egypt’s highest peak, Mount Catherine, with other peaks over 2,000 meters.

Hiking trails like Wadi El Arbain and Wadi Shaq lead to stunning vistas that have views of Mount Sinai and, on clear days, even Sharm el Sheikh and the Red Sea. Other destinations like Jebel Abbas Basha and Jebel Sana are worth exploring, but reaching them may take several days. The site also played a part as a religious hub as it was picked to construct the Chapel of the Burning Bush “Saint Helen’s” Chapel after the mother of Constantine the Great in 330 AD. The Burning Bush is the bush plant through which Moses received a message from the all-mighty speaking through the flames. A mosque was built into the wall of the chapel in the Fatimid period during the 10th century.

Importance of Saint Catherine

Saint Catherine’s significance lies in its religious, historical, and cultural heritage, as well as its breathtaking natural surroundings, thus making it a destination of interest for people from various walks of life. Saint Catherine is a city of multifaceted significance. It’s home to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, an ancient Christian site built around the 6th century at the foot of Mount Sinai, where the biblical Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. This monastery holds profound religious importance for Christians globally.

The region has been a melting pot of civilizations of Christian, Islamic, and Jewish thus creating a rich environment of cultural heritage. This attracts historians, archaeologists, and tourists keen on exploring ancient civilizations. The monastery itself is a wonder that houses centuries-old religious art, manuscripts, and icons, offering a glimpse into the cultural and artistic traditions of the area. This makes it a vital center for preserving cultural heritage. Nature enthusiasts find Saint Catherine mesmerizing for its natural beauty. Mount Sinai and the surrounding mountains and desert offer stunning landscapes for hikers and pilgrims, making it one of the top hiking trails in Egypt, adding to the area’s allure.

Places of Interest In Saint Catherine City

It is a special high-altitude Sahara with an ecosystem filled with various endemic and rare species; there are many rare types of medicinal plants that locals have used for countless ages. There are water pools, narrow canyons, springs, creeks, and wide valleys. There are many churches, monasteries, and holy sites in the area and beyond, apart from the religious sites located on top of Jebel Musa (Mt. Sina) and around the Monastery of St. Catherine.

There are a lot of historical places dating back to the Pharaonic age, Nabatean, and Byzantine era, plus more modern sites like the Palace of Abbas Hilmi I. Pasha. The city contains a number of cultural and natural attractions like water pools, creeks, and barren mountain wadis, where a number of Bedouin gardens and buildings are located among magical rock formations and springs in the dry. From the highest mountains of Egypt, you have a heavenly path to the majestic Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba, El Tur, and the Gulf of Suez.

Modern Township in Saint Catherine City

Saint Catherine City is a magnificent township that holds a number of vital facilities, including a hospital, police station, high school, hotels, telephone center, post office, fire brigade, and bank. The roots of the city go all the way back to the settlement of Wadi El Sybaiya, which is home to the ancient Roman soldier’s descendants. With time, the city developed into a massive town after the creation of a massive road in the modern 80s, which transformed it into one of the enchanting tourist attractions of Egypt.

The city has expanded because the nomadic Bedouins have relocated to small settlements that surround the monastery, thus creating the town of Saint Catherine. The city has a number of key districts, which are Shamiya, Raha, El Milga, and Nabi Harun, which act as the town’s core and are found at the convergence of various valleys. These valleys carry Wadi Quez, Wadi El Arbain, Wadi Shrayj, Wadi Raha, and Wadi El Dier, which are known to connect to the main valley of Wadi Sheikh, which houses settlements that predate the town itself.

Saint Catherine serves as the capital of the Municipality of Saint Katherine, encompassing these outlying areas. The monastery is found in Wadi el Deir, in the opposite direction of Wadi Raha, which sits within reach of Mount Sinai. Everyone can access Mount Sinai from the monastery or through Wadi El Arbain, which contains a number of epic landmarks like the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs and the Rock of Moses (Hagar Musa).

Best Hotels of Saint Catherine

The magnificent city of Saint Catherine is a religious and historical marvel that is filled with a number of magical hotels that provide basic amenities that often cater to pilgrims and tourists visiting the nearby St. Catherine’s Monastery. The most ideal hotels include:

• Bedouin Camp and Guest House.
• Abu Salem’s Garden Lodge.
• Al Milga Hotel.
• Dahab and Sharm El Sheikh Hotels.
• St. Catherine Plaza Hotel.
• 4-star hotel Morgenland Hotel.

Camps in Saint Catherine

The proximity of camping sites to the revered St. Catherine Monastery makes it renowned as one of the most famous camping destinations in Egypt. It is filled with a number of various Bedouin camps and settlements, which provide a magnificent traditional and rustic experience, thus providing accommodation in tents or simple lodgings. They often organize camel treks, hikes to Mount Sinai, and cultural experiences showcasing Bedouin traditions and rich culture. Some established tourist camps provide more comfortable accommodations than Bedouin camps.

These might include amenities like electricity, bathrooms, and dining facilities while still offering proximity to the natural beauty of the region. There are specific camps geared towards hikers and trekkers. These camps often serve as base camps for those ascending Mount Sinai or exploring the surrounding trails.

Facts about Saint Catherine City

• Saint Catherine City is a city located in the South Sinai Governorate of Egypt, which is bordered by the Red Sea to the east, the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba to the west, and the Gulf of Aqaba to the south.
• Saint Catherine experiences a desert climate characterized by hot days and cooler nights. Summers can be scorching, while winters are relatively mild but can get cold, especially at higher altitudes.
• Saint Catherine City is known for its stunning natural, religious, and historical landscapes. The rugged mountains and desert terrain in the region attract hikers, trekkers, and adventure seekers.
• The city is renowned for its historical and religious importance which is known for being a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest functioning Christian monasteries in the world. It’s believed to have been built around the site of the Burning Bush mentioned in the Bible.
• Observing the stars at Saint Catherine is considered among the prime stargazing places in Egypt. The night sky becomes an exquisite canvas adorned with countless stars, planets, and celestial phenomena.
• Saint Catherine is close to Mount Sinai, also known as Jebel Musa or Mount Horeb, a mountain where it’s said that Moses received the Ten Commandments. Many pilgrims and tourists visit this site annually for its religious and historical significance.
• The city has a mix of cultures and influences due to its strategic location and spiritual importance. It’s a meeting point for various ethnic groups, including Bedouins, Egyptians, and tourists from around the world.