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The Hanging Church from the outside in cairo

The Hanging Church

  • 05 16, 2023

 The Hanging church of the Virgin Mary 

The hanging church of the Virgin Mary is one of the most famous churches in your Egypt tours attracting large numbers of visitors from Egypt and around the world. The church is located in old Coptic Cairo next to the Ben Ezra synagogue, Abu Serga church, and the Coptic Museum. 

You can visit the Hanging church during your tour in Egypt Classic Tours to enjoy seeing the unique iconic church. The church gained this name due to building upon the remains of the towers of the Roman fortress. The church played a significant role in Coptic history, It became the headquarter for the patriarch after being transferred from Alexandria to be in Al Fustat. 

The Roman Fortress of Babylon in Cairo

The Roman fortress was built by the Roman emperor Trajan next to the canal that connected the Red Sea and the Nile River. The fortress is also known as the Castle of Babylon. The fortress's main aim was to protect the eastern gate of Egypt. The significance of the Roman fortress extended to the Islamic Conquest. You can check the Old Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo to explore the beauty of the different arts that go back to various historical ages. The name of the fortress was back to King Snusert after defeating the Babylonians and bringing prisoners to enslave them, they rebelled and built a fortress to protect them. 

The History of the Hanging Church 

The hanging church of the Virgin Mary is one of the oldest churches in Egypt. The church was constructed on the ruins of the Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo in the Old Cairo area, The church is decorated with a wooden roof like the ark of Noah.  The chosen area to build the church is where the holy family of the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and Jesus the infant decided to take it as a shelter to hide from the Roman king Herod, the ruler of Palestine. You can imagine having a vacation that gathers different activities from Egypt Christmas tours and visiting the holy iconic site, Luxor city, Aswan city, and experiencing the Nile cruise tours with your family and partners. Egypt will assist you in having a distinctive vacation rich with activities that will let you have a joyful time. 

The architecture of the Hanging Church 

The art of architecture in the construction of buildings and decorating the church is very unique.  The church court is divided into four wings and separated by rows made of marble. The church design is very different and has a wooden roof like Noah’s ark. The church has a tank made of granite and ten columns carrying a marble pulpit decorated with mosaic. The walls of the church decorated with icons date back to the fifteenth century which makes it one of the enchanting churches in Coptic Cairo and Old Cairo. The church has a unique piece of art: the wooden screen is decorated with precious icons and geometric patterns and crosses of ebony and ivory. Don’t miss a splendid day tour to the Giza pyramids and the Coptic Cairo to discover the beautiful Coptic art and holy churches. 

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

The Hanging Church is considered the most renowned Coptic Christian church in Cairo and potentially one of the earliest constructed in basilican style.

The Hanging Church got its name because it was built on top of an old Roman Fortress. They used logs from palm trees and layers of stones to make the church strong. What makes this church special is that its roof is shaped like Noah's ark and is made out of wood.

Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, also called the Hanging Church, is a very old church in Egypt. It is dedicated to Mother Mary and is located in a place called Babylon.

The Hanging Church is renowned for its beautiful Coptic architecture, including its wooden roof, marble columns, and intricate carvings. Visitors can admire the church's interior adorned with colorful frescoes, icons, and religious artifacts.

Yes, Egypt is home to several historic churches like the Church of Saint Virgin and the Church of Saint Catherine.

The distinctive Hanging Church features a wooden roof modeled after Noah's ark. Iron gates beneath a pointed stone arch form the entrance from the street. Beyond is a small courtyard with biblical themes from modern art that gives way to the nineteenth-century facade with its two bell towers.


 

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