Saint Catherine is by far the most exclusive and distinguished city in Egypt, because of it is height, rising 1600 meters above sea level in the heart of the governorate of South Sinai, and 300 km from the Suez Canal.
The city is occupying an area of about 5,130 km2, and is surrounded by a number of mountains that are the highest In Sinai and all of the country; the highest between them are Mount Catherine, Mount Safsafa and Mount Mosa.
This height of the city gave it a distinct, mild climate in the summer and very cold in the winter, which gives it a special beauty when snow covers the mountain tops and the city’s land, unlike the rest of Egyptian cities desert climate.
The area of Saint Catherine has been declared a nature reserve because of its historical, natural and religious significance. Most of the city’s residents work in agriculture, tourism services and herding. The city is famous for religious tourism, mountain climbing and safari tourism. The region of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Area, because of its cultural and natural importance.
History
The city is named after the Saint “Catherine” who was born in Alexandria at the end of the third century AD, and in the year 307 AD, Caesar Maximian came to Alexandria, and he commanded the worship of idols, persecuted the saint, and tortured her until he ordered her beheading on November 25, 307 AD.
Five centuries after her martyrdom, the story says that a monk in Sinai saw a group of angels carrying the body of Saint Catherine flying with it then placed it on the top of a mountain in Sinai, so the monk went to the top of the mountain and found the body as he had seen it, He carried it to the Church of “Moses the Prophet”, but after that the body was transferred to the Church of “the transfiguration” in the monastery that was built by Emperor Justinian in 6th century AD. The monastery was then known as Saint Catherine’s Monastery, and the name was applied to the whole city.
Places to visit
There are over 200 religious places you can visit, In addition to other important churches and monasteries, the highest mountains in Egypt with spectacular views, ruins of Byzantine monastic settlements, amazing rock formations and landscape.
The Natural reserve of Saint Catherine is another amazing place to visit, it is located at the end of the St. Catherine Valley junction in the Al-Arbaeen Valley on a high plateau surrounded by several mountains of varying height, including Mount Saint Catherine, the highest peak in Egypt, Jabal Musa, Jabal al-San’a, Jabal al-Banatm Jabal Abbas and Jabal Safsafa.
The city is spread across landscapes, including mountains and valleys that make walking in it a pleasure for the soul, so you can expect unforgettable and amazing safari trips.
What to eat?
You can explore a number of different restaurants in the area, providing a Tradition Egyptian food or you favorite dishes from the international cuisine.
Saint Catherine at night
At night you can observe the fascinating Milky Way and the spectacular shiny stars, or maybe you can settle for a late night barbeque under same amazing scene.