Temple of Sarabit El-Khadim

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The Temple of Sarabit El-Khadim is located on a small plateau north El-Tur , in South Sinai . The name 'Sarabit' is driven from the Bedouin word 'Sarbot' ("erected pillar" in Arabic) . The word 'El-Khadim' means "servant" . The remains of the Temple of Sarabit El Khadim are the only considerable vestiges of the Pharaonic buildings in Sinai . It includes names of people other than the royalty or gods . For this reason , it is known as "the people's place" because inscribed on its walls are the names of 387 leaders of mining expeditions .
Built over a 735m-high peak , the temple comprises open courts and sanctuaries dedicated to the protector goddess Hathor , the goddess of copper and turquoise miners to whom the temple was dedicated . The temple's site is rich with stelae of various Pharaohs that flank the way to an underground chapel of Hathor . The temple has many remains dating back to the Middle Kingdom , with scenes of worshipping Hathor and the deified kings . Hatshepsut and Thutmosis III also made additions to the temple .
Spending the night at the foot of the plateau and hiking at dawn is the best option for tourists to enjoy the spectacular scenery .