Coptic Cairo

Coptic Cairo, along with Old Cairo, is a unique area that contains a concentration of Christian churches and other sites that date from the centuries between the decline of the pharaonic religion and the arrival of Islam, when Egypt had a Christian majority. Coptic Cairo is a must-see destination in Egypt. Coptic Cairo is mostly centered on the ruins of the fort of Babylon and the walls that formerly surrounded it.

It is here that you will find the Coptic Museum, which houses the world’s biggest collection of Coptic Christian artwork and antiques. The museum, which was established in 1910, documents Coptic history from the time of the advent of Christianity in Egypt up to the time of the Ottomans. It showcases a diverse collection of artwork inspired by Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman traditions.

In addition, there are six churches on the grounds that date back to the early Christian period. The Hanging Church, also known as the Church of the Virgin Mary, was constructed in the 9th century to ‘hang’ far over the city of Babylon’s fortifications. Because the ground levels have risen greatly around the walls, the impact of this “hanging” has been significantly reduced.

There are numerous additional ancient churches in Coptic Cairo, including the Church of St. Sergius, which goes back to the 5th century and is said to have been erected on the location of a crypt where the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) sought refuge during their sojourn in Egypt.

Ben Ezra Synagogue is located much farther back in the neighborhood. This is the oldest synagogue in Cairo, having been built in the 9th century on the site of what is either the Temple of Jeremiah or the spot where the pharaoh’s daughter discovered Moses among the reeds. The synagogue is dedicated to the prophet Jeremiah.