Coptic Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

Coptic Cairo, Cairo Overview

Coptic Cairo is the most ancient part of Cairo, lined with Coptic churches and synagogues. This pedestrian-only part of Old Cairo is seen as the remainder of the Orthodox Christian Community that dominated Cairo before Muslim Invasions. It consists of several historic sites, museums, art galleries, book shops, souvenir shops, and pottery centers.

Coptic Cairo consists of 5 churches and a synagogue. The most significant thing to admire in this historic center is its architecture and history. The most important sights to visit here are Croptic Museum and Hanging Church. The museum showcases art and artifacts dating back to the early days of Coptic Christianity while Hanging Church dates back 8th century. Among the notable landmarks is the Babylon Fortress, dating back to Roman times and serving as a marker of Egypt's rich heritage.

Though dining options within the complex are limited, nearby areas offer a variety of culinary delights to complement a day of exploration in Coptic Cairo.

1. Coptic Museum

The Coptic Museum holds more than 16,000 artefacts dating back to the presence of Christians in Egypt. Almost all these artefacts have been collected from different monasteries across Egypt. It was fo (Read More)unded in 1908.

The Hanging Church of Cairo is a stone facade inscribed with Coptic and Arabic marks. Also known as the Church of Saint Virgin Mary, the Hanging Church of Cairo is one of the most popular and oldest c (Read More)hurches present in the world today. Dating back to the 3rd Century AD, the Hanging Church of Coptic Cairo comprises 110 Holy Icons.

Situated in Old Cairo, Abu Serga Church is an ancient Coptic Orthodox church renowned for its historical and religious importance. Its interior is adorned with intricately carved wooden screens, color (Read More)ful frescoes, and ornate marble columns. Architecturally, the church reflects a blend of Coptic, Byzantine, and Islamic influences.

The Ben Ezra Synagogue became a place of worshipping for Jews in 882 AD. Back in the 6th Century AD, the synagogue was a figure of the Jewish revolution, when the prophet Jeremiah gathered all the Jew (Read More)s after Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. Situated next to the Hanging Church and the Coptic Museum, it is considered a must-visit destination during the trip to Cairo.

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