{"id":668876,"date":"2022-04-11T17:21:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T14:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=668876"},"modified":"2022-02-01T10:44:20","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T07:44:20","slug":"mount-moses-sinai-in-egypt-photo-description-excursions-pilgrimage-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/mount-moses-sinai-in-egypt-photo-description-excursions-pilgrimage-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Mount Moses (Sinai) in Egypt – photo, description, excursions, pilgrimage, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula there is a unique<\/a> place, which for many centuries has been conside<\/a>red the most revered place for believing Christians and Jews. It was here, according to the biblical story, that Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. The deserted dry desert, which still keeps a lot of evidence of the reality of the events of those times, annually receives pilgrims from all over the world<\/a>. Indeed, in this place is Mount Sinai.<\/p>\n

Story<\/h2>\n

Today it is difficult to talk about the exact location of this shrine. The culture of the Jewish people did not retain reliable information about exactly where in the desert Moses spoke with God. The Biblical Mount Sinai began to be identified with Haar Karkh, a mountain in the Negev desert. Artifacts were discovered here, making it possible to assume that the very place – Mount Sinai – is located<\/a> here.<\/p>\n

From the 2nd century AD this part<\/a> of Sinai was inhabited by hermits who professed Christianity. Even then they did not have exact data about the place where the events, called the Exodus in the Old Testament, took place. It is in this part of the biblical narrative that Mount Sinai is mentioned. In the IV century AD. Christians began to revere this place, considering it true.<\/p>\n

The first pilgrims to these holy places<\/a> can be considered the Byzantine Empress Helen. She visited the mountain to look at the bus<\/a>h, which, according to the biblical parable, caught fire under the prophet Moses. After the journey, Empress Elena gave the order to build a small chapel on the holy site. After some time, the chapel turned into a large beautiful monastery thanks to Emperor Justinian. The monastery was named in honor of St. Catherine. She was a Christian who was martyred. Modern travel<\/a>ers, going here, can personally see<\/a> the most ancient monastery on earth. But you can get into the monastery itself only in the early morning, the rest<\/a> of the time is given to the monks who pray here.<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a><\/p>\n

Endless strings of pilgrims climb to the very top of Sinai, overcoming 3750 steps. Each step was car<\/a>ved by the hands of ancient monks. But for those who are not able to overcome such a difficult climb, there is a trail that the locals call the Camel Trail. On it, the path to the mountain is simple – you can get to the top of the mountain on a camel. There is a legend that the well-known prophet Mohammed visit<\/a>ed this place, and was well received by the Christian monks who then lived at the very foot of Sinai. Every year, travel<\/a>ers from all over the world overcome this difficult path – a hike to Mount Moses.<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a><\/p>\n

Excursions<\/a> to Sinai<\/h2>\n

There are two ways to get to the top of the mountain – one is long, wide and gentle, and the other is short, with stone steps. They join together near the top. The short path is very difficult, the ascent here is carried out along steep steps. Therefore, this path is chosen by believing tour<\/a>ists and monks. The length of this road is almost 3100 steps. It will be possible to overcome the path only during daylight hours and exclusively on foot. But, choosing this difficult path, pilgrims have a wonderful opportunity to see the chapel of the Virgin of the Church of Elijah the Prophet.<\/p>\n

The long trail is for those who cannot overcome the many steep steps. This category of pilgrims can use camels. The cost of renting an animal is $15. This pilgrimage tour has a special specificity<\/a>. People who need healing from serious illnesses strive to get to the mountain of Moses. This category also includes pilgrims with young children<\/a> and the elderly.<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a><\/p>\n

Also, this trail is chosen by tourists<\/a> who pitch tents along the way to rest. For them, this is a kind of journey full of adventure. You can buy drinks along the way. Chapels and temples are located on the mountain, but they are closed to visitors. To get there<\/a>, you need to secure a special agreement, in addition, for this you need an escort from the monastery. Winter is considered the most favorable, in terms of weather<\/a> conditions, for traveling<\/a> to Mount Sinai. However, it is better to plan a trip for spring-autumn.<\/p>\n

Paths leading to Sinai<\/h2>\n

Excursion<\/a> to Mount Sinai (mountain of Moses) is a long and difficult climb to the mountain. Start hiking at night – no later than 3 hours. You need to know<\/a> that at the very top of the mountain at this time of day it is very cool, and, despite the fact that this is a desert, it can snow. Tourists<\/a> need to bring warm clothes with them. During such periods, the ascent becomes especially difficult, because voluminous clothing creates difficulties in moving. But is it really possible to be afraid of these, in fact, minor difficulties, when the indescribable beauty of the sunrise awaits you ahead.<\/p>\n

Mount Sinai is located relatively close to three settlements. These are Sharm el-Sheikh<\/a>, Dahab and Taba. If your trip starts from Sharm el-Sheikh, then the collection will begin in the evening, after dinner. You can get to the foot of the mountain by bus. During the trip, tour<\/a>ists are required to be briefed. It will also be described in detail about the stages of the journey, stops. The guide will give each pilgrim a flashlight, but when going to the mountain, it is better to have your own, in case the first one breaks. The road is long, and it will pass in the dark, so a flashlight will become an essential item.<\/p>\n

Stops along the way are made at intervals of half an hour, just for a few minutes. It turns out stops 7-8. As a rule, several groups climb the mountain at once, they go in a row one after another. If suddenly one of the pilgrims strayed from his group, he can simply cling to someone else's, and return to his own already at the top. All pilgrims by the beginning of sunrise find themselves at the very top, ready to meet the dawn.<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a><\/p>\n

To meet the sunrise on the mountain of Moses means to see the appearance of God. After all, the dawn here is considered proof of its existence. Pilgrims are given stone tablets with the inscriptions of the commandments. This process is considered absolution. Don't miss the opportunity to take unique photo<\/a>s. They will be a wonderful memory of this unusual journey. Almost every tour is accompanied by a video<\/a>, and travel<\/a>ers have the opportunity to buy a film about their ascent to Mount Sinai.<\/p>\n

Having met the sunrise, and after a little rest<\/a>, the travelers begin to descend the mountain. Contrary to popular belief, going down is no easier than going up. There is a cafe downstairs especially for tourists. Where can you have breakfast. Tourists who come on an excursion usually have dry rations, which are given to them at the hotel<\/a>. Almost every trip to Mount Sinai consists of several parts. One such point is a visit to a shrine – the monastery of St. Catherine.<\/p>\n

Visitors to the monastery will be able to admire the ancient icons, get close to the relics of the saint, whose name the monastery bears. Everyone who enters here experiences indescribable feelings. The atmosphere reigning here gives peace. Today the monastery is considered the center<\/a> of Orthodox monasticism. On the territory of the monastery there is a chapel of the Burning Bush. This is the name of the biblical bush, in the flame of which the face of God saw Moses. The chapel has another name – “Chapel of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary”. Many connoisseurs of the Old Testament associate this bush with thorns; it is present in one of the parables about Moses. Believing pilgrims honor this place with special trepidation.<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a><\/p>\n

The sights<\/a> of the monastery do not end there. The well of Moses is another holy place. He is protected, because he is active and provides water to all the inhabitants of the monastery. The final point where tourists are brought is the city<\/a> of Dahab, whose name translates as “golden”. This is a unique place where you can see ancient temple<\/a>s, wander through the old streets and look into the souvenir shop.<\/p>\n

Memo to the pilgrims of Sinai<\/h2>\n

Traveling to Mount Sinai is not easy. Everything happens at night, in the dark, perhaps in the cold. Therefore, in order for it to pass as comfortably as possible, it is necessary to properly prepare.<\/p>\n

Clothing should be warm and shoes comfortable. Visitors to the temple must be dressed appropriately – clothing is closed (shorts, short skirts and open T-shirts are not allowed). Every tourist must bring food and water with them. There is a cafe at the foot of the mountain, but you should not hope for it.<\/p>\n

Be sure to take a photo<\/a> or video camera. If you plan to buy souvenirs<\/a>, do not forget to take change money, preferably in dollars. In addition, it is customary to make donations in holy places. While walking<\/a> around Dahab, you may want to stop by the museum.<\/p>\n

The journey to Mount Sinai remains one of the highlights of many people's lives. But even if you do not put your own special meaning into it, this place is worth a visit. Even if for you it is just an interesting<\/a> excursion.<\/p>\n

Mount Sinai on the map<\/h2>\n