Sinai is a holy land where many Biblical events are believed to have taken place. St Catherine’s Monastery was built on the site of the Burning Bush, at the foot of Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa) – Mount Horeb in the Bible – where Moses received the Ten Commandments. Apart from the main monastery, there are several other monasteries, dozens of chapels, and hundreds of Byzantine monastic ruins in the area.
Map of the St Catherine Area
1. Nabi Harun; 2. Golden Calf; 3. St Catherine’s Monastery; 4. Maqafa; 5. Jethro’s Hill; 6. Elijah’s Basin (Farsh Eliya); 7. Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa); 8. Farsh Aramziya; 9. Farsh Loza; 10. Farsh Safsafa; 11. Ras Safsafa; 12. Kinist el Hmar; 13. Monastery of the Forty Martyrs (Deir al-Arbaeen); 14. Mount Catherine (Jebel Katrina); 15. Rock of Moses (Hajar Musa); 16. Monastery of the Holy Apostles (Deir Raba); 17. Monastery of Kosmas and Damianos (Deir al-Rahab); 18. Chapel of St John “The Ladder” Klimakos (Galelimax).
Please note: Wadi al-Arbaeen and the Steps of Repentance are currently closed, and access from the town is not permitted. There is also an ongoing development project in the city center and Wadi al-Raha area, so the landscape will look very different from what you may see in older photos. Access to monastery-owned properties is not permitted without prior authorization, which must be obtained in advance and is usually granted only to Orthodox Christian pilgrims.
Attractions in the St Catherine Area
Wadi al-Deir & the Mount Sinai–Ras Safsafa Massif
1. Nabi Harun / Chapel of Aaron; 2. Golden Calf; 3. St Catherine’s Monastery; 4. Jethro’s Hill / Chapel of Sts Theodore; 5. Jebel Musa Summit (southern peak of the range); 6. Ras Safsafa (northern peak of the range); 7. Mount Catherine (behind another range).
Jebel Musa and Ras Safsafa form a single granite massif with several peaks. Ras Safsafa rises dramatically above the broad plain of Wadi al-Raha, traditionally believed to be the gathering place of the Israelites, while the summit of Jebel Musa crowns the opposite end of the range above St Catherine’s Monastery. It is the higher of the two peaks, although this is not obvious from this perspective (as seen in the photo above). Tucked between the rugged cliffs and ridges near the summit are secluded basins that once served as retreats for monks and hermits. These hidden pockets preserve chapels, hermit cells, gardens, wells, and ancient reservoirs, creating a unique blend of spirituality and desert survival.
Wadi Raha
Wadi al-Raha, a wide plain at the foot of the Jebel Musa–Ras Safsafa range, is one of the locations traditionally linked to the Exodus. Its vast open expanse is believed by many to have been the encampment of the Israelites, where they pitched their tents “at the foot of the mountain” (Exod. 19:17). Ras Safsafa dominates the view from here, while the summit of Mount Sinai is hidden behind it. You can also see Wadi al-Deir, St Catherine’s Monastery in the wadi, and Jethro’s Hill at the head of the valley. Today, there are hotels and an ongoing development project at the end of the plain closest to the town, but the rest of Wadi al-Raha remains a natural desert and grazing area, with clusters of Bedouin settlements and fantastic views.
Nabi Harun & Chapel of Aaron
The Chapel of Aaron, standing on a low hill at the mouth of Wadi al-Deir in an area known as Nabi Harun, is a small Christian shrine built beside a Muslim maqam. Both buildings are dedicated to Aaron, the prophet (nabi) Harun in Arabic and brother of Moses. Overlooking a Bedouin cemetery below, the chapel marks the entrance to the valley leading to St Catherine’s Monastery and Mount Sinai.
The Golden Calf
At the foot of Ras Safsafa lies a site traditionally associated with the biblical Golden Calf episode, when the Israelites, during Moses’ absence on the mountain, worshipped a golden idol (Exod. 32). Local tradition places this event in the valley of Wadi al-Deir near St Catherine’s Monastery, where a distinctive rock formation is pointed out as a reminder of the story. If you look carefully at the formation, you can make out the shape of a calf.
St Catherine’s Monastery
St Catherine’s Monastery, officially the Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai, was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century at the foot of Jebel Musa. It is the world’s oldest continuously operating monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery houses priceless icons, manuscripts, and the famed Burning Bush, revered as the one encountered by Moses. Its fortress-like walls sheltered monks for centuries, making it both a spiritual and cultural treasure. Today, it remains an active monastic community and a major pilgrimage destination for Christians worldwide.
Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa)
The summit of Jebel Musa, rising 2,285 meters (7,497 ft), is revered as the traditional location of Mount Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. At the peak stands the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, a small structure rebuilt in the 20th century on earlier Byzantine foundations, alongside a modest mosque. Visitors ascend by the Camel Path to greet the sunrise or sunset from the summit. The breathtaking panorama of rugged granite peaks and desert plains adds to the mountain’s aura. However, Jebel Musa is only one of several peaks in a larger granite massif that also includes Ras Safsafa and numerous secluded basins, chapels, hermitages, and gardens.
Elijah’s Basin (Farsh Eliya)
Elijah’s Basin (Farsh Eliya) is a natural terrace situated below the summit of Jebel Musa, serving as a resting and gathering place for pilgrims making the ascent. Tradition holds that the prophet Elijah sought refuge here, giving the site its name. The basin contains several chapels and a church, including the Chapel of St Marina the Virgin, the Church of Elijah, and the Chapel of St Stephen of Sinai. Its open space, access to water, and relatively flat ground made it a practical encampment site for monks and travelers, while its religious associations have made it an integral stop on the sacred route to the summit.
The Steps of Repentance
From the monastery to Elijah’s Basin, the Steps of Repentance climb roughly 3,000 stone steps. A further 750 steps lead from the basin to the summit, making about 3,750 in total. Along the ascent, pilgrims passed two gates and a wayside chapel, markers of the ancient route. Tradition holds that the stairway was completed in the 6th century, when monks carved and laid the steps as acts of penance to reach the holy peak. Steep, uneven, and awe-inspiring, it was the most ascetic route used by pilgrims.
Farsh Aramziya & Chapel of St John the Baptist
From Elijah’s Basin, a stone-paved path leads north toward Ras Safsafa. A short detour off this path reaches a hidden terrace, Farsh al-Aramziya, also known as Farsh Zahrour, named for the Sinai hawthorn (Crataegus sinaica) found in the basin. Here stands a small stone chapel dedicated to St John the Baptist (“St John the Forerunner”). The site exemplifies Sinai’s network of hermitages: chapels tucked onto rocky terraces that catch a little soil, water, and shelter. The masonry is simple, likely rebuilt over time, but the dedication and setting suit the area’s solitary character, where scripture is read, prayers are chanted, and watch is kept over the valleys below.
View of the Monastery
At the edge of the Farsh al-Aramziya basin, at the top of a narrow gully dropping steeply into Wadi al-Deir, you can enjoy a spectacular view of St Catherine’s Monastery. There is also a large dam and reservoir in the area that protects the monastery from flash floods while retaining water for use.
Farsh Loza & Chapel of St Gregory of Sinai
Right beside the path to Ras Safsafa lies a small basin called Farsh Loza, named for the twisted-trunk almond tree beside a modest chapel honoring Gregory of Sinai. He was a 14th-century monk and hesychast, a practitioner of inner stillness and continual prayer in the Orthodox tradition. The chapel has a tiny footprint and rough fieldstone masonry, much like the other hermit chapels scattered around Jebel Musa. In a nearby hidden basin stands the Chapel of St Anne.
Farsh Safsafa & Chapel of the Holy Girdle of the Virgin Mary
At the end of the footpath, tucked between granite walls, lies another quiet basin known as Farsh Safsafa, with a small walled garden, a well, and a chapel. From the mouth of the basin, where the path drops into a steep gully, you can see the Nabi Harun area. The chapel is dedicated to the Holy Girdle of the Virgin Mary (the Theotokos), a long-standing Marian devotion in the Christian East, commemorated here in simple stone and prayer.
Ras Safsafa
Dominating the view from Wadi al-Raha and St Catherine, the twin peaks of Ras Safsafa rise above Farsh Safsafa. Some have identified them as the true Mount Sinai. The highest peak is the southern one, but both offer spectacular views over the Wadi al-Raha plain and the town. It is a demanding and exposed climb with steep drops, recommended only for experienced hikers accompanied by a good guide.
Chapel of St Panteleimon (Kinist el-Hmar)
Nicknamed the “Chapel of the Donkey” (Arabic: Kinist el-Hmar), this small shrine honors St Panteleimon, the physician-martyr renowned for his healing miracles. It stands on one of the mountain’s approach terraces, a quiet stop where travelers pause before or after the strenuous climb. The Bedouin nickname recalls a local tale: a hermit lived here alone and each Sunday descended with his donkey to the monastery to attend the liturgy and carry back supplies. One day the donkey returned alone, and the people understood that the monk had died.
Monastery of the Forty Martyrs (Deir al-Arbaeen)
Standing in a valley southwest of Jebel Musa, the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs, known locally as Deir al-Arbaeen, commemorates forty Christian soldiers martyred for their faith. Tradition holds that hermits lived here from the early Byzantine period, drawn by its solitude and spring. The monastery is quite small, but its orchard, still beautifully maintained, is remarkably large. Although the building is more modest than St Catherine’s Monastery, it reflects the rhythm of monastic life in Sinai, where prayer was combined with labor in the fields. Within the orchard stands an old chapel dedicated to St Onuphrius, a hermit from Upper Egypt who reportedly lived in a nearby rock shelter for around 70 years and died in 390 CE.
Mount Catherine (Jebel Katrina) & Chapel of St Catherine
Mount Catherine (Jebel Katrina), at 2,629 meters (8,625 ft), is the highest peak in Egypt, towering above the Sinai range. It is traditionally linked with St Catherine of Alexandria, whose body, according to legend, was miraculously transported by angels to the mountaintop after her martyrdom. A chapel at the summit commemorates this tradition. The mountain is a popular climb for visitors based in St Catherine, offering expansive views of Sinai’s granite highlands. Its association with St Catherine has made it an important pilgrimage and hiking destination since medieval times.
Rock of Moses (Hajar Musa) & Chapel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
Near the grounds of the Monastery of the Forty Martyrs stands a chapel dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, built beside what tradition identifies as the Rock of Moses. According to local lore, this is the rock from which Moses brought forth water for the Israelites (Exod. 17). The twelve clefts in the rock, according to local tradition, represent the twelve springs mentioned in the Quran.
Monastery of the Holy Apostles (Deir Raba)
Located in the town of St Catherine, the Monastery of the Holy Apostles, known by the Bedouin as Deir Raba, is one of the lesser-known religious sites connected with Sinai’s monastic heritage. Tradition holds that it was founded in honor of the Apostles, and although much smaller than St Catherine’s Monastery, it served as a spiritual retreat and local place of worship for monks. It includes a simple chapel and monastic quarters, reflecting the modest character of Sinai’s secondary monasteries.
Wadi Tala & Monastery of Saints Kosmas and Damianos
The Monastery of Saints Kosmas and Damianos, also known as Deir al-Rahab, lies a short distance from St Catherine in the secluded valley of Wadi Tala. Dedicated to the twin physician saints, it served as a retreat for monks seeking solitude and prayer. This small monastery stands within an expansive orchard of olives, almonds, and apricots, complemented by a vegetable garden. The produce supports the monastery, but the daily care of the trees and fields is carried out by local Bedouins. This cooperation, unchanged for centuries, reflects the friendly interdependence between the monastic community and the native population of Sinai.
Wadi Itlah & Chapel of St John Klimakos
St John Klimakos (Climacus), author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent, lived as a hermit near Mount Sinai in the 6th century before becoming abbot of St Catherine’s Monastery. His cave and adjacent chapel remain a revered site, situated in today’s Wadi Itlah (known as Thola at the time), a short walk from the town of St Catherine. Along the long, gently descending wadi are many lush Bedouin gardens, some of which welcome visitors.
Blue Desert (Jebel Mlawn)
An open desert plain near the town of St Catherine, encircled by rugged mountain ranges, the Blue Desert became famous when several outcrops and rock formations were painted blue by the Belgian artist Jean Verame to commemorate the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. It is a popular picnic site accessible by off-road vehicles.
ATTRACTIONS: Red Sea Coast > St Catherine & Mt Sinai > The High Mountain Region > The Desert