Coptic Cairo’s star features:
Exploring Coptic Cairo can be easily done on foot. However, categorizing the area’s sights by type is the best way to ensure visitors enjoy a comprehensive discovery trip. The following is a simple checklist of sights: Holy sites: include Churches, tombs, convents and mosques, archeological sites: include Fustat’s archeological remains, and last but not least Museums and historic structures: Coptic Museum and the Nilometer.

The Hanging Church:
Is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Egypt, dedicated to Virgin Mary. The Church got its name “Hanging” or “ Al Muallaqa” in Arabic from being built on top of the water gate of the old Roman fortress of Babylon. Originally, the Church was constructed as early as the 4th century, but was destroyed and re-built in the 11th century. Allow yourself a long tour within the Church to soak up the magnificence of its refined details evident in its ivory in laid screens, and carved marble pulpit. The church is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, and public service takes place on both Sundays and Fridays.

Coptic Museum:
Exhibiting some of the most important pieces of Christian art, architectural sculpture and writings in Christian history makes that Museum a must stop. The Museum is divided into themed rooms each specified in exhibiting different forms of Coptic art with evident Pharaonic and Islamic influences. It is recommended to tour at a slow pace, and visitors need not be worried about being accompanied by a tour guide, as each room’s wall provides an overview and historical background. Visitors can trace Christianity’s early development in Egypt by closely watching symbols like the “ankh”, Horus like falcons and impressive motifs. The museum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.

Church of Saint Barbra:
Named after a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd AD, and was killed for converting to Christianity by her own father. The church is one of the largest and finest in Egypt built in the 11th century. Make sure not to miss the magnificent iconostasis dating back to around 1750.

Church of St Sergius:
the most famous Church in Egypt, and it owes that reputation for once providing shelter to the Holy Family in its cave during their “Flight to Egypt”. The holy cave still exists and the church is the oldest structure in the fortress built in 5th Century AD.

Church of St George:
Saint George was venerated in the Middle East as Mar Girgis (with a metro station named after him). It is believed that Mar Girgis has been a Roman Legionary who defied a decree outlawing the practise of Christianity, and hence was killed sometime in the 3rd century. Ever since, the church has been dedicated to the Saint, whom many Coptic Christians believe in his healing powers and visit for blessings. The Church is open daily from 8am-12:45 pm and 2:30-3:15 pm.

Convent of St George:
Dating back to the 15th Century, Saint George convent is still inhabited by nuns, where the unusual ritual of chain wrapping is still practised. The chains symbolize the persecution of Saint George, whose shrine containing his famed icon can be visited in the high ceilinged Great Hall. The convent is open daily from 8am-4pm.

Ben Ezra Synagogue:
Is Egypt’s oldest synagogue, still standing after extensive restorations as a testament to the significant presence of Jews in the country. The synagogue was formerly a church, built in the 8th century, but was destroyed three hundred years later, and its ruins were granted to a 12th century rabbi of Jerusalem known as Abraham be Ezra. The synagogue embraces thousands of Hebrew manuscripts that chronically detail life in medieval Cairo. The synagogue is daily open from 8 am-4pm.

Al Fustat:
Al Fustat translates to the tented area in English, as it is here where the Muslims camped to establish the first Islamic capital of Egypt overlooking the River Nile to replace the Greco-Roman capital of Alexandria. General Amr Ibn Al- Aas led the army and conquered the area in 641 AD, however, visitors will only be able to see archeological remains of the capital, and its walls.

Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas:
The mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas was the first mosque to be built in Egypt by General Amr Ibn Al-Aas after his army had succeeded in conquering the area. Historical accounts detail that the mosque was built of simple mud-brick, with an unpaved floor and palm trees serving as a roof. However, as the number of Muslims increased the Mosque was enlarged several times, losing much of its originality. Many Greco-Roman pillars are evident in the mosque, which are said to have been brought from Churches.

Nilometer:
The only surviving functional structure of its kind in Egypt, built in 861 AD by the Abbassid Caliph to measure the River Nile’s floods. Make sure to also pay a visit to the Manesterli Palace located on the eastern side of the Nilometer.

Cemeteries:
During your tour to Coptic Cairo, many cemeteries will bejewel your way. All of the cemeteries around the compound belong to the Coptic, and Greek Catholic communities. The structures are impressive, embracing magnificent statues and elaborate mausoleums.

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