Saint Catherine Monastery closes for 2 days

CAIRO – 31 December 2017: The General Administration of Tourism and Antiquities has notified the Egyptian Travel Agencies’ Association to close Saint Catherine Monastery for two days from January 5 to 6, 2018.

Aligning with Christmas festivities, the General Administration of Tourism and Antiquities sent a formal notification to the Egyptian Travel Agencies’ Association informing them not to organize any tours to Saint Catherine Monastery, South Sinai, on January 5 and 6, 2018, on the occasion of Christmas.

This decision came in light of the National Organization for Urban Harmony’s decision to develop the area surrounding Saint Catherine Monastery, including passages, lighting system and pathways.


Close Look at Saint Catherine Monastery, May 8, 2010 – Wikimedia /Bassem Abdel Azizi

As the monastery is in the list of World Heritage Sites, the government started Saint Catherine’s development projects on Saturday after implementing several measures in the area.

Saint Catherine Monastery is one of the world’s oldest monasteries and the center of monastic life in Southern Sinai. It is surrounded by a high, two-meter thick wall of close fitting granite to protect it against possible perpetrators.

This region is believed to be enshrining the burning bush from which God first revealed himself to Moses, including a lot of treasure trove of icons and manuscripts. Also, it encompasses the well of Moses, where it is said to be the place he met his future wife, Zipporah.


Saint Catherine Monastery, Mount Sinai October 9, 2009 – Wikimedia/Ovedc