Tourism | Tours

tours to egypt and israel

January 7th, 2010 admin No comments

After a few days lounging by the pool or on the beach or in Taba Taba Heights. Even the most relaxed among us begin to consider exploring other places. After all that be shame to visit a country like Egypt, so steeped in history and culture, and not venture outside the hotel grounds.

There are some fantastic places to visit Taba and Taba Heights as Petra or Jerusalem, but one of the least known attractions is the monastery of St Catherine.

Why visit St Catherine's monastery? One reason is because not only is this place a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest Christian sites the world. But this area in the Sinai desert is where one of the most epic stories of the Bible happened.

St Catherine's monastery was built in the site of the burning bush by the Roman Emperor Justinian in the sixth century AD and is situated at the base of Mount Sinai. This is the mountain that Moses ascended to talk with God. When Moses saw the burning bush, and where he received the Ten Commandments.

Mount Sinai was also the halfway point on the epic journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land of milk and honey in Israel.

So who was Saint Catherine? And how could have Egypt `s mountain higher, a monastery and a church named after her?

Well, she was born into a wealthy Egyptian family in Alexandria in the year 294. He converted to Christianity, and hundreds of followers of other converts to Christianity and became one of the early Christian martyrs.

In those days the Christians were persecuted by the Roman authorities, and forced to renounce his Christian beliefs. But Catherine steadfastly refused to renounce their faith. This so enraged the emperor Maxentius, who ordered him to be tied to a toothed wheel as punishment. Legend has it that she broke the wheel touching. So Maxentius ordered him beheaded. After his execution of his body disappeared. However, according to legend, after his death was carried by angels to the top of the highest mountain in Egypt.

Now called the Monte de Santa Catalina in his honor. Three centuries later, his body was found, and transported down the mountain and put in a golden casket in the monastery, where he remains to this day.

During his visit to the monastery you can see and touch a modern day descendant of the original recording of Bush in the courtyard of monastery. Also check out the more macabre ossuary, This is the room that houses all the skulls and bones of the monks, once deceased, who lived in the monastery. You also have the opportunity to see the monks housing, library and various chapels during his visit.

If you wish to to find out more about Taba and Taba heights on Egypt`s Red Sea Riviera. Plus view a great youtube video of Saint Catherines and Mount Sinai. Please visit my website at http://tabasun.co.uk