This ancient monastery traces the basis approximately up to 330 AD when the Byzantine empress Helena had a small chapel and the strengthened shelter for the local hermits constructed near as, what to believe, be the burning bush from which God spoke with Moisey. Today St Catherine consider one of the oldest all the time of the functioning monastic communities in the world. If the museum of the monastery is locked, ask a key in Church of the Transfiguration.

The monastery - which, together with vicinities, was announced by the UNESCO world heritage site - call in honor of St Catherine, the legendary martyr of Alexandria which underwent tortures on a cogwheel and then is executed for her belief. The tradition considers that her body was transported by angels from the torture device (which got out of hand and killed the pagan audience), and on slopes of the highest top of the mountain of Egypt. The peak which lies in 6 km south of Sinai of Mt became known as Gebel Catharina subsequently. Catherine's body was 'found' about 300 years later by monks from the monastery in a condition of fine preservation.

In the 6th century the emperor Justinian reserved that fortress was constructed around an original chapel, together with a basilica and the monastery, provided the safe house to monastic community which grew there and as a shelter for Christians of the southern Sinai.

Since then the monastery pilgrims from around the world, much of whom attended the sustained extremely difficult and dangerous trips to reach the remote and remote place. Today the paved access road removed dangers which accompanied a trip here earlier, and the monastery became a popular day trip from Sharm el-Sheikh and Dakhab.

The travelers visiting have to remember that it is still functioning monastery which demands a conservative dress - to nobody with shorts allow to enter, and women have to cover shoulders.

In the complex surrounded with a wall decoratively decorated 6th century Church of the Transfiguration has a nave between the large marble columns and walls captured in richly gilded symbols and pictures. In east end of church the gilded iconostasis of the 17th century separates a nave from a sanctuary and an apse where St Catherine remains, are interred (inaccessible to most of visitors). Highly in an apse above an altar one of the finest artistic treasures of the monastery, a mosaic of the 6th age of Transformation though can be difficult to see it by chandeliers and an iconostasis. To the left of and below an altar the most sacred area of the monastery, the Chapel of the Burning bush which is inaccessible to the public.

It is possible to see how, what to think, be a descendant of the original burning bush in a monastery complex; however, because of the visitors who are cutting off reductions of a bush to take away home as blessings the area surrounding it is fenced off now. About the burning bush Moisey's Source, the spring which as it is supposed, gives marriage happiness to those who drink from it.

Above Moisey's Source and the main main issue of visit of the monastery, the excellent Museum of the Monastery which was perfectly restored. It has displays (marked on Arab and English) many artistic treasures of the monastery, including some fascinating symbols of the Byzantine era from its world famous collection. There are numerous precious bowls and gold and silver crosses, along with displays of ancient manuscripts. In the lowest number of the museum a prize exhibition: parchments from the Code of Sinaiticus, the oldest almost full Bible in the world.

The library of the monastery, the second largest in the world, contains an invaluable collection of the lit Bibles and ancient manuscripts, including the hand-written copy of the New Testament, and opened again the public after three years of restoration.

Only in the monastery you will find gift shop, selling exact copies of symbols. In wider territory of the monastery, out of massive walls, a board and the wonderful area of the courtyard with cafe (though it was closed during our last visit due to the lack of custom). As numbers of tourism decrease, the narrow lane in the monastery it is pleasant without crowds, but when tourism accepts to know again that the monastery can be crowded with crowds of the excursion bus, especially on Saturdays and Mondays.