Monastery of St. Catherine

Excursion to the famous monastery of St Catherine starts in the early morning, it is around 2-30 minute far from Sharm El Sheikh. The monastery is situated 1571 m above sea level it dates back to Roman times 542 AD, We will visit the church of St Catherine which considered one of the most famous churches all over the world. Inside the church in the apse is a magnificent mosaic depicting the transfiguration of Jesus. It is the earliest and one the most beautiful mosaics of the eastern church and has remained in its entirety to this day. In artistic style it is similar to the Italian school of this period, especially the mosaics in the church of S. Vitalius, as well as in the Higia Sofia in Constantinople. The Library which considered to be the second in importance only to the Vatican, in both number and value of the manuscripts it contains 3000 items. The Charnel house is a repository of the bones of the monks who died at St. Catherine over the centuries. The "Burning bush" which flourishes several yards farther from the chapel where it was transplanted in order to build the holy Alter upon its roots. It is the only bush of its kind growing in the entire Sinai peninsula. Moses well, the Icon gallery of the monastery all these we will see in the monastery. Then we will have lunch in 4 stars restaurant in St. Catherine city and we will end our program with a free tour in Dahab city.