St. Catherine’s Monastery

St. Catherine's Monastery

St. Catherine's Monastery, officially the Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai, is the oldest continuously operating Christian monastery in the world. Founded in the 6th century CE by order of Emperor Justinian I at the foot of Mount Sinai, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been in continuous use for over 1,500 years and remains an active Eastern Orthodox monastery to this day.

Treasures

The monastery houses an extraordinary collection of early Christian manuscripts, icons, and artifacts. Its library is second only to the Vatican in importance for early Christian texts, and its collection of early Byzantine icons — including some dating to the 6th century — is the finest in the world, having survived the iconoclasm that destroyed such works elsewhere. The monastery also contains the famous Burning Bush, believed to be the same bush through which God spoke to Moses.

Visiting Information

The monastery is open to visitors on most mornings, though hours are limited. The Basilica of the Transfiguration, with its stunning 6th-century mosaic of the Transfiguration of Christ, is the main church. Visitors should dress modestly and be respectful of the active monastic community. Photography is restricted in certain areas to protect the ancient artifacts.