El Melga - St. Katherine Village

The village of St. Katherine or El Melga, named after the valley where the village lies, is situated at the end of wadi El Melga. Abu Gifa Pass lies to the south, Mount Sinai and Wadi Arbaein to the east, wadi Talah to the west.

The houses of the Jabaliya in El Melga are all built from local granite stones, making the village blend into the mountain landscape. Only the government buildings and apartment buildings built by the government, stand out in big (ugly) contrast. Life in the village is very laid back. There are a few shops and coffee-shops and restaurants. But none of the tourist rush (this you find around the monastery). The village is the starting point for mountain treks.