St Catherine's Monastery
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port
Sharm el Sheik, Egypt
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activityLevel
Moderate Activity
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excursionType
All
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$270
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
Approximately 10½ Hours
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mealsIncluded
Meals included
Saint Catherine Area A UNESCO World Heritage Site
"The Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot of Mount Horeb where, the Old Testament records, Moses received the Tablets of the Law. The entire area is sacred to three world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The Monastery, founded in the 6th century, is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its initial function." Learn more:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/954.Seabourn is the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage
An early morning departure ensures that you maximize your day on this excursion that begins with an approximately 3-hour drive through the desert to the site of St Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nestled at the foot of Mt Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments, this religious complex is the oldest Christian monastery in the world. The monastic order was founded in the 4th century, when a small chapel was built next to what is believed to be Moses’ burning bush. The chapel was dedicated to St Catherine, a legendary martyr from Alexandria. In the 6th century, Emperor Justinian ordered the building of a fortress here, including a basilica and a monastery to serve as a refuge for the monks of St Catherine's.
Today, the monastery is still in use and is inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks. Your guided tour of the monastic complex includes viewing what is believed to be Moses' Burning Bush, and a visit to the chapel with its impressive collection of icons and jeweled crosses.
Proceed to the monastery’s restaurant for lunch.
After lunch, re-board the motor coach for the return journey to Sharm-el-Sheikh.
Please note: Travel time to the monastery is approximately three hours each way. Modest attire is required for visiting churches or cathedrals; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered; shorts are not allowed. The monks' living quarters are not open to visitors. Tour does not operate on Sundays.