ÜBERSICHT
Hanging Church (El Muallaqa, Sitt Mariam, St. Mary) You will be picked up by a professional guide, who will then drive you through the narrow lanes of Old Cairo to get to the southern fringes, where Coptic Cairo is located. Hanging Church of the Virgin Mary, located on top of the water gate The church dates from the 7th century. It has magnificent dark interiors with cedar paneling, a wooden ark ceiling, and a marble pulpit supported by 12 pillars. Then we will move to the Church of St. Barbara. The church of St. Barbara is among the churches of Old Cairo of historic importance. It was originally dedicated to St. Cyrus and St. John, who were worshipped for their healing powers. A small church at the northeastern corner of the building commemorates these two martyrs. Following by the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George (Mari Girgis) The Church of St. George is a Greek Orthodox church within the Babylon Fortress in Coptic Cairo. It is part of the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St. George under the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and all of Africa. The church dates back to the 10th century (or earlier). The current structure was rebuilt following a 1904 fire; construction was finished in 1909. Since 2009, the monastery's hegumen has had the rank of bishop with the title Bishop Babylonos; after that, head to Synagogue Ben Ezra. Originally a Coptic church, it was transformed in the 11th century into a Jewish synagogue. According to Jewish tradition, this is where the prophet Jeremiah preached in the 11th century, while Copts believe it is the site where baby Moses was found in a basket. Then move to the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus. In this church, it is believed that the holy family rested during their exile in Egypt. In the chapel of the convent of St. Mary, visitors wanting to be blessed can be wrapped in chains by the nuns. Then drive to Cave Church. The Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church, is located in the Mokattam Mountains in southeastern Cairo. Seven churches and chapels are hidden within a series of caves inside the monastery; the Virgin Mary and St. Simon Cathedral is the largest church. Inside the spacious caverns, beautiful engravings cover the walls, each representing stories from the Bible. St. Simon’s Hall, a large seating arena that accommodates 2,000 people for spiritual meetings, sits on the upper level. The monastery also includes an education center, an area for children, and a school for the deaf. Now considered one of the largest Coptic monasteries in Egypt, the grandeur of the churches hidden within the heart of the Mokattam Hills belies their relatively recent construction. You'll be transferred back to your hotel.