Highlights of the Monastery of St. Catherine
The Library at the Monastery of St. Catherine
Perched at the foot of Mount Sinai is the St. Catherine’s Monastery—the oldest continuously open monastery in the world. It is home to thousands of rare ancient and medieval manuscripts.
This special library holds the key to some of history’s most hidden secrets. In fact, its massive library’s scope ranks only second to the Vatican Library.
Just like the monastery attracts pilgrims from all over, the library draws in thousands of scholars and travelers interested in seeing his historical marvel for themselves.
The library at St. Catherine holds a wide variety of super rare religious, medical, historical and philosophical texts written in 13 distinct (modern and antiquated) languages that date all the way back to the fourth century AD.
These include sections of the Codex Sinaiticus, the oldest written version of the New Testament. Up until the recent digitization efforts that have been taking place at the library, many of these rare manuscripts puzzled scholars and were very mysterious in nature, unable to be identified.
Experts believe this is due to scribe’s erasing and reusing the palimpsests all throughout the fifth and 12th centuries, causing irreparable damage to some original texts but still interesting to witness how many important scholars and figures left their thumbprints here.
The Sacred Tree
Located inside the Monastery of St. Catherine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s oldest continually inhabited monastery—is the fabled Sacred Tree where it is believed that God spoke to Moses, according to the Abrahamic religion.
A holy pilgrimage site, the tree has its roots firmly planted inside the church with its branches extending gracefully outside—a mesmerizing sight surrounded by the unspoiled nature of Southern Sinai.
Final Tip to Keep in Mind
Travelers visiting should keep in mind that although this is a touristic place, it is still a functioning monastery. This means you should dress conservatively. Avoid shorts, you won’t be permitted to enter with them. Women must also cover their shoulders.
As you can see, there's no shortage of amazing things to see and do in Egypt. Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or simply a curious traveler, this country with Nile Cruise Vacation has something to offer everyone. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to explore the top attractions of Egypt!
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