One of the oldest monasteries in the world
Saint Catherine's Monastery, located at the foot of Mount Sinai in Egypt and famous for its sacred peace, is now preparing to open its doors to visitors.
According to SCMP, the monastery was founded in the 6th century and is one of the oldest inhabited monasteries in the world. This 1,500-year-old monastery was built where the valley ends and Mount Sinai begins.
A gentle breeze blew across the barren reddish-brown rocks, causing the rose bushes and olive trees to sway.
Christians, Jews and Muslims all revere this place, where faith, history and nature blend in a powerful combination.
Now, deep in the valley, it is bustling with concrete, containers and construction vehicles as Egypt pushes for future tourism development.
Hotels and villas are being planned, providing more than 1,000 rooms, along with a promenade around the market.
The Egyptian government is developing the planning project, expected to be completed by October 2026, as "Egypt's gift to the world and all religions".
A museum and theater are also included in the project, along with conference rooms and restaurants. A paved highway and an unused airport nearby are also being expanded. The project is expected to cost $220 million.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said it would be "a wonderful destination for all visitors", whether coming for religious, leisure or natural reasons.
The aim of the project is to “exploit the area’s charm” and turn it into a “must-see destination,” according to state media. A major German hotel chain is also involved.
Worried about losing your peace of mind?
But can a monastery that thrives on peace and isolation cope with such large numbers of visitors, according to SCMP?
Father Justin, one of 22 monks living at Saint Catherine Monastery, said there needed to be a "delicate balance" in planning the area around the monastery.
The process of opening and allowing visitors access needs to be maintained at a certain level, and to preserve the inherent silence and solitude of the monastery.
“The monks start their day at 4 a.m. and live on a schedule that has been around for centuries,” said Father Justin.
The monastery is now open to visitors for three hours a day. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
With the large-scale development plan of the project launched by the Egyptian government, change is coming in the near future.
World Heritage Watch, an organization that protects UNESCO World Heritage sites, has said the project represents "the greatest possible contrast to what the area currently represents".
UNESCO has called on the Cairo government to present a safeguarding plan, halt construction and allow observers into the country for assessment.
UNESCO warns that St Catherine's Monastery is in danger of becoming like Sharm el-Sheikh, to the south - a place with "five-star hotels and tourists staying in their hotels".
“The monastery needs to be protected so that people who come here can feel something inside them. Something in their hearts. If it is not protected carefully, this place will become an overcrowded tourist attraction,” said a monk, placing both hands on his chest.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/tu-vien-saint-catherine-ai-cap-dung-truoc-nguy-co-qua-tai-du-khach-178291.html
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