Mt. Sinai is one of the main attractions in St. Katherine, most visitors do not realize how much more even this single mountain has to offer. It has a complex system of mountain-top basins with ancient churches and ruins of monastic life, from which gullies offer unique views to surrounding wadis, the Monastery and parts of the town.
Mt. Sinai is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims as a holy place, where a covenant
between God and His people was established. Ap art from the Old Testament it is also mentioned in the Quran, where “ God pref aces a statement on the creation of
Mankind by swearing to four sacred symb ols: «by the Fig and the Olive, and the Mount of Sinai [at-Tur], and this City of security [Mecca]»(Sura 95:1-3).” Although its exact location has been dispute d, for most people it is not the mountain but the
message which is important. The “ mountain of Moses” and other religious sights are an integral part of the Jabaleya Bedouin cult ure, and their traditions were intric ately
interwoven with this Biblic al landscape. Un til 1973 on feast days they offered sacrifices atop at the various sacred places. (Reference: Joseph Hobbs, 1995)
The two common ways to the summit of Mt. Sinai (1) start after the Monastery of St. Katherine (2), either via the camel path (3) or the Stairs of Repentance (4). They meet above Elijah’s Basin (Farsh Eliya) (5). There are alternative routes via Wadi el Arbain (6) and Wadi Sharig (Wadi Shrayj) (7). The basins of Kinisa el Homar (8), Farsh Safsafa (9), Farsh Loza and Farsh Zaharur (10) have many sights but are rarely explored.
Elija’s Basin (Farsh Eliya) is on the main circuit – there is a dam to protect the Monastery below from flash floods, and tall cypress trees in a walled court.
A gully from Farsh Zaharur offers bird’s eye view of the Monastery. There is a chapel in the basin, as well as in adjoining Farsh Loza.
There is a small garden and a chapel in Farsh Safsafa.From the gully at the end of the basin you can see the Visitors Centre and Nabi Harun.
