Saint Catherine Monastery, Egypt

In the center of the Sinai peninsula is a unique religious landmark - the monastery of St. Catherine. This monastery was founded in the 4th century and has existed for more than one and a half thousand years, which makes it one of the oldest monasteries in the world. The monastery was built on order of Emperor Justinian I. It was originally called the Transfiguration Monastery, and acquired its present name only in the 11th century. The monastery has been a traditional Christian pilgrimage site for many centuries. The main artifact preserved in it are the relics of Saint Catherine.

Every day an access to the relics is open at a certain time. Christians from all over the world come here to worship the unique Christian relics. The beautiful monastery is also interesting from an architectural point of view. Above all, it is remarkable for its splendid decoration. When the monastery was designed, rare marble was used, a number of ancient mosaics and other ornaments were preserved.

The basilica nave has retained its original form. And at the entrance to the Narthex one can see fine carvings made of Lebanon cedar. In addition to the beautiful basilica, the nearby Chapel of the Burning Bush is worth visiting. According to the biblical legend, the chapel was built where the God spoke with Moses. Among other interesting monastic buildings, the well of Moses is worth mentioning, as well as numerous chapels and a refectory, which has remained unchanged since the 11th century. The walls of the refectory are decorated with ancient frescoes, which are considered to be the most valuable artwork. Next - Mana Pools Park