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The coffin found in tomb KV55. The mummy case found under the niche was the first example of the royal "rishi" style ever found in the Valley of the Kings that originally had both the internal and external surfaces covered with gold leaf.

 
Discover the amazingly lifelike Fayoum mummy portraits >>
 

 
 
  

Coptic Cairo

Pages in this section: coptic egypt | coptic cairo | coptic monasteries

Detail from the sign at the Fortress of Babylon, Old Cairo.Old Coptic Cairo (Masr al-Qadima): This area is the oldest part of Cairo, and predates what is now modern Cairo. It is believed that there was a settlement here as early as the 6th century BC. Later, the Romans built a fortress here which we know today as "Babylon". Some of these Roman walls still exist today.

After the spread of Christianity throughout Egypt, it became a Christian stronghold, with as many as twenty churches built within an area of just one square mile.  Now only five remain, along with the earliest mosque ever built in Egypt. After the fall of Jerusalem in around 70 AD, the area saw an influx of Jews, and it's here where Egypt's oldest synagogue, Ben Ezra is located.

Roman tower at Babylon fort, Old Cairo. Roman remains at Babylon Fort, Old Cairo. Roman remains at Babylon Fort, Old Cairo.
Roman tower at Babylon Fort, Old Cairo. Roman remains at Babylon Fort, Old Cairo. Roman remains at Babylon Fort, Old Cairo.

Churches within Old Cairo include:

ABU SERGA: The church of St Sergius, Cairo. Considered to be Cairo's oldest church, dating from the 4th century AD. Built on the spot where the Holy Family rested at the end of their journey into Egypt.

  

SITT BARBARA: The church of Saint Barbara, Cairo. Exact date of construction unknown. Burnt in the Fustat fire of 750 AD and restored during the 11th century.

KENISET MAR GIRGIS: The church of Saint George, Cairo. Originally built in 684 and rebuilt in 1857. It is best known for its wedding chamber, which dates from the 4th century AD and was reserved for marriage ceremonies.

  

MAR GIRGIS: The Greek church of Saint George, Cairo. Round church, built on a Roman tower. Burnt in 1904 rebuilt 1909. The church here has been Greek Orthodox since the 15th century.

EL-MU'ALLAQA: The hanging church, Cairo. Cairo's most famous church, may have been originally built in the 7th century on the site of an older 4th century church. Built on top of the Roman walls.

  

The Church of the Holy Virgin in Babylon Al-Darag, Qasr el-Sham, Cairo. Dates from the 11th century, and is situated just outside Old Cairo in Qasr el-Sham.

The Churches and Convents of Harat Zuwaila in Old Cairo: The church of Saint George (Upper church), The church of the Virgin Mary, and the church of Saint Mercurius. Situated in the Fatimid area of Cairo. Tradition holds this district was blessed by the Holy Family during their travels in Egypt.

  

MAR MINA: The church of Saint Menas, Cairo (with the annexed churches of Saints Benham and George). Probably dates back to the 6th century AD, but rebuilt during the 8th century. The cupolas were added in 1164.
Street in Old Cairo. Street levels here are considerably lower than the modern street level. Decorative wall outside the cemetery in Old Cairo. Narrow cobbled streets in Old Cairo.
Street in Old Cairo. Street levels here are considerably lower than the modern street level. Decorative wall outside the cemetery in Old Cairo. Narrow cobbled streets in Old Cairo.
The Hanging Church derives its name from its location on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon fortress. It was probably built during the patriarchate of Isaac (690-92), though an earlier church building may have existed elsewhere dating from around the 3rd or 4th century AD. For centuries, Mar Grigis alternated between ownership by the Copts and the Greek, but since the 15th century it has remained Greek Orthodox, and the adjoining monastery of St. George is now the seat of the Greek patriarch. The Coptic cemetery, Old Cairo.
The Hanging Church (el-Muallaqa) dates from around the 7thC and is actually built on top of the walls of the Roman fort. Mar Girgis Church (St.George) is built on top of a Roman tower. It was rebuilt in 1909 after being destroyed by fire. The Coptic cemetery, Old Cairo.

Although Old Cairo contains a concentration of Christian churches and monuments, most of the really ancient Christian churches of Egypt are to be found in the isolated monasteries of the Eastern Desert. What is believed to be the world's oldest monastery, St Anthony's, was established in the middle of the fourth century AD by the Red Sea coast in the Eastern Desert in Egypt.

Discover Egypt's ancient monasteries >>

 

    

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