stds-802-16: "Sinaia"
[Forwarded message from Marianna Goldhammer, responding to a question
I asked regarding the site of Session #25
<http://ieee802.org/16/meetings/mtg25>.]
Roger,
Yes, it is a strong linkage between Sinaia and Sinai.
The Sinaia town took its name from the Sinaia monastery, built during
1590-1595.
Until middle 19th. cent., only the monastery was in this place, and
the regal family was hosted in, until the Pelesh castle was finish.
The monastery was built by Mihail (Michael) Cantacuzino, from the
Romanian king family, after his visit to Sinai, Jerusalem,
Nazareth,etc. It is said that holly stones, he carried from Sinai
Mount, are inside.
At foots of Sinai Mount is a famous monastery, consacrated to St.
Caterina, which was founded in 6th century by Justinian. Were many
Rumanian monks there, I was told that some sort of Rumanian is still
spoken. Looking on WEB, I found this:
"Very unusual among tribal embroidery is that of the Jabbalia tribe,
whose ancestors are believed to have been brought to southern Sinai
from Romania by the Roman emperor Justinian to serve the monks of the
6th century Santa Caterina monastery. Their embroidery patterns,
exhibited in the museum, contain unmistakable Balkan elements." See
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/go.asp?MFAH01vc0 , on the Negev Bedouin
Museum page.
Impressed by what he saw, Mihail decided to build in the Charpatian
mountains a monastery, consecrated to Virgin Maria, and with the
Mount Sinai name. Scenes from the St. Caterina life are painted on
the Sinaia monastery church entry cupola.
More Sinaia monastery pictures can be seen at :
http://www.ici.ro/romania/tourism/c_msinaia.html . The text about the
monastery is in Romanian, but the French speaking guys can understand
the basic ideas. More about Sinaia, in English, at
http://www.ici.ro/romania/tourism/c_sinaia.html
So the name of "Sinaia" comes from "Sinai". Both words are used in Rumanian.
Regards,
Marianna
P.S. Feel free to ask for more details