Up Mt. Sinai
Visiting the Sinai Peninsula? A trip to the St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mt. Sinai is a must
Mt. Sinai is located in the southern-center of the peninsula about a two-hour drive from the coastal town of Dahab. It is believed by some to be the actual Mt. Sinai where God gave Moses the law after the Israelites escape from slavery and the clutches of pharaoh, and therefore is a site for holy pilgrimage. However, whether you’re going for pilgrimage or just to enjoy the view, a trip to Mt. Sinai won’t disappoint.
Sunrise at Mt. Sinai (Photo: Will King)
Most visitors come to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain and therefore tour busses converge from all over the Sinai to the entrance of the park at around two in the morning. Hundreds upon hundreds of trekkers begin the three-hour climb up to the 2285 meter summit, and a line of flashlights can be seen snaking their way up the length of the trail. For those who find the climb a bit too much there are plenty of opportunities along the way to obtain the services of a camel, as well as small kiosks where one can rest and grab a quick snack or bottle of water.
The trail is gradually sloping with loose rocks, but be prepared for slow moving as the trail is packed with people all along its length. The final push to the top of the mountain consists of some 700 steps that will test the determination of most casual hikers. If steps don’t bother you, then you could always ascend the mountain using a second trail that features 3,750, known as the “steps of penitence.” Either way the climb is moderately difficult, so be prepared.
The summit features both a mosque and a small Greek Orthodox chapel, neither of which are open to the general public. Venders sell mattresses to sit on and blankets for those who want to keep warm in the pre-dawn chill, but be sure to bargain the price. Campers who climber the mount the day before and slept overnight can be seen in their sleeping bags, but if you choose to do this just note that there are no services at the top of the mountain, at least none with running water.
Trail of hikers descends Mt. Sinai (Photo: Will King)
Finally after all the hundreds of climbers have ascended to the top and jockeyed for the best position facing east, the sun crests over the mountains in the distance. Some people applaud, a group of Koreans next to me began singing, but everybody takes photos. As the sun climbs a little higher it illuminates more of the surrounding area, revealing just what an incredible view the mountain commands. After more pictures the throngs of people begin to make their way down, which is a little easier and quicker than the way up.
Located at the foot of Mt. Sinai is the St. Catherine’s Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery was built in the 6th Century CE under the direction of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and is named for St. Catherine of Alexandria. The monastery itself consists of several different chapels inside, including the Chapel of the Burning Bush and the elaborately decorated Basilica of the Transfiguration. There is also a mosque inside the compound underscoring the site’s importance to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, however it is sealed and has never been used because it is incorrectly aligned with Mecca.
One of the things that the monastery is known for are its beautifully decorated icons which predate the Iconoclastic Movement of 726-843 CE, which destroyed most of the church icons in the Byzantine Empire. The library is also the second largest in the Christian world with some 3,000 manuscripts and 5,000 other early church writings. The most famous of the monastery’s books is the Sinai Codex, which was written in the 4th Century CE and contained both Old and New Testaments. The book was removed from the monastery under dubious conditions by Constantin von Tischendorf in the late 1800’s and today only part of the codex is on display in the British Museum in London.
For those who choose to climb the mountain, here’s some important things to remember to bring with you: flashlight, water, something warm for the summit, camera, and some comfortable hiking shoes. A little bit of money is good too, just incase you opt for the camel
To visit Will King's website - click here
