Wadi Feiran

Wadi Feiran, which is the largest oasis in south Sinai, is about halfway between the Red Sea and St. Catherine’s Monastery. It is at the base of Mount Serbal, which is 6,000 feet high (6,560 feet).

People often think that the oasis is the Rephidim that Exodus talks about. It is in a winding valley with shade palms, tamarisks, and orchards. Just before they got to Mount Sinai, the tired Israelites finally got some rest at this oasis.

Early Christians lived in the area and helped it grow. In 451, it was chosen as the site of a bishopric that was in charge of St. Catherine’s Monastery (seepp222-5).

In the seventh century, both the bishop’s palace and the convent were destroyed. However, on the same site, a smaller monastery was built with stones from the destroyed Byzantine buildings. The people who live in the oasis now are from the Tawarah tribes.