View on grounds of monastery compound, Mt. Sinai
- Title
- View on grounds of monastery compound, Mt. Sinai
- Description
-
The image depicts the west façade of the Church of the Transfiguration within the Saint Catherine Monastery compound at Mount Sinai. The structure includes a three-story campanile, or bell tower, adjacent to the main church building, with a portal at the bottom leading to the interior. As noted by Forsyth and Weitzmann, this site represents a remarkable example of Byzantine monastic architecture. The monastery, established during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, was designed to serve both as a place of worship and as a fortress, safeguarding its sacred treasures and monastic community.
Forsyth and Weitzmann emphasize the monastery's strategic location. Situated in the rugged terrain of the Sinai Peninsula, it symbolizes the union of spiritual seclusion and defensive necessity, with towering granite mountains providing natural isolation and protection. The stone construction of the church and its campanile reflects the durability and simplicity characteristic of early Byzantine architectural techniques. The bell tower, added in the 19th century, maintains harmony with the monastery's original design and highlights its enduring spiritual and functional vitality.
The façade visible in this image, with its small, arched windows and cross-adorned gable, embodies a balance between utilitarian fortification and sacred aesthetic values. This view not only illustrates the architectural significance of the monastery but also underscores its long-standing role as a spiritual sanctuary. The reference to Plate XXV in Forsyth and Weitzmann's book situates this specific perspective within their comprehensive photographic documentation, further underscoring its architectural and historical importance.
- Publisher
- Bentley Image Bank, Bentley Historical Library
- Source
- George and Ilene Forsyth papers; Forsyth, George H.
- Subject
- Saint Catherine (Monastery : Mount Sinai)
- Type
- Image
- Format
- Jpeg
- Item sets
- George Forsyth Journals Item Set
- Site pages
- St. Catherine Monastery, Mount Sinai, Egypt
Part of View on grounds of monastery compound, Mt. Sinai