The St Catherine People at Risk from Egypt's Sinai Mountain Megaproject

High on one of Egypts Sinai peaks, near the sacred spot where the three Abrahamic religions believe God spoke to Moses, the constant hum of construction dominates the landscape. In the rugged southern Sinai, a massive development is transforming the once-tranquil town of Saint Catherine into a major tourist hub.

Experts on heritage and local inhabitants report that the project has already caused significant damage to the surrounding nature reserve and UNESCO World Heritage site. This area is home to the worlds oldest functioning Christian monastery, as well as the Bedouin communities concerned about the threat to their ancestral lands.

"Saint Catherine as we knew it is gone. The next generation will only see these modern buildings," said a local hiking guide from the Jabaliya tribe, as a five-star hotel rises nearby and construction noises overwhelm the birdsong. The guide, like others interviewed about the nearly $300-million "Great Transfiguration" project, spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation.

John Grainger, a former manager of the EUs Saint Catherine protection project, described the development as "disfigurement and destruction" of the historic site. From above, the towns traditional red-brick homes and orchards are dwarfed by hotels, a large conference center, and hundreds of new residences, including a sprawling Steigenberger resort.

In July, World Heritage Watch called on UNESCO to list the region as a World Heritage site in danger. Last month, UNESCO appointed Egypt's former tourism and antiquities minister Khaled El-Enany as its head; during his previous tenure, the Saint Catherine project began and significant portions of Cairos historic City of the Dead were demolished, despite being a UNESCO-protected cemetery.

Near the construction site on biblical Mount Sinai, a small group of monks continues to maintain ancient shrines. In May, an Egyptian court ruled that the monastery sits on state-owned land, giving monks only usage rights, a decision that sparked diplomatic tensions with Greece and outrage among Orthodox patriarchates. Critics warn this makes the monastery dependent on the state for survival. In September, the monasterys archbishop resigned following internal turmoil.

Each morning, monks welcome visitors, mostly sunrise hikers guided by the local Jabaliya community. The Jabaliya, whose name means mountain people in Arabic, have lived here for 1,500 years and are believed to descend from Roman soldiers who once guarded the monastery. They lead hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and adventurers annually, drawn to the sacred sites and dramatic landscapes. While they have long sought better infrastructure to alleviate poverty, they now fear that rapid development is harming their heritage and even disturbing ancient graves. In 2022, bulldozers destroyed part of the towns centuries-old cemetery, forcing residents to exhume hundreds of bodies.

Local authorities have not addressed questions regarding the cemetery or the projects broader impact. While the government promotes the economic benefits of the megaproject, residents say their concerns have largely been ignored. "We dont know what the future holds. Maybe well be asked to leave," the guide said. Despite the disruption, some locals hope tourism will bring prosperity, even as rising costs and ongoing construction challenge daily life.

Across Egypt, residents displaced by infrastructure and tourism projects report that government compensation rarely meets their needs. Following criticism from conservationists, UNESCO requested in 2023 that Egypt pause further construction, conduct environmental impact assessments, and implement a conservation plan. Construction, however, has proceeded, with authorities claiming the project is 90% complete.

Looking over the monasterys vineyards and cypress trees toward the nearly finished hotel, a local official commented on the scale of the development: "These hotels are enormous, with costs that are astronomical. Whether they will ever be full is another question, but we cant speak out," he said.

Author's Analysis: The Transformation of Saint Catherine

The ongoing development in Saint Catherine marks a profound shift for one of Egypt’s most historic towns. From my perspective, the pace and scale of construction—particularly the “Great Transfiguration” project—threaten both the natural environment and centuries-old cultural heritage.

Local residents and heritage experts report significant damage to the UNESCO-protected area. Traditional red-brick homes and orchards are being overshadowed by hotels, conference centers, and resorts, fundamentally altering the landscape that has been home to the Jabaliya community for 1,500 years.

The monastery, one of the world’s oldest functioning Christian sites, now operates under state-controlled land rights, heightening its vulnerability. While authorities emphasize economic growth, the voices of locals and conservationists remain largely unheard, with environmental assessments and heritage protections lagging behind construction.

Ultimately, the project illustrates a critical tension: the drive for tourism revenue versus the preservation of historical, cultural, and natural heritage. If current trends continue, future generations may experience Saint Catherine only as a tourist destination, rather than a living community with deep historical roots.

Sources:

• Egypt's Sinai mountain megaproject threatens the people of St Catherine

Author: Ethan Caldwell
Ethan Caldwell is an experienced reporter with 10 years covering international news. He specializes in politics and economics, with strong investigative journalism and analytical writing skills.