The Hanging Church, also known as Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, is one of Egypt's oldest Christian landmarks, built in the 5th century AD atop the Babylon Fortress in Coptic Cairo. Its unique suspended position gives it the
The Hanging Church aka Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is a profound living entity of Egypt’s Christian heritage, standing as one of the oldest and most remarkable religious structures in the country. This ancient church embodies centuries of Coptic history, resilience, and faith, symbolized by its unique architectural positioning atop the historic Babylon Fortress.
Known for its striking appearance as a “suspended” church and renowned for its invaluable icons, artistic mosaics, and rich blend of Coptic and Islamic design elements, the Hanging Church offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the religious, cultural, and architectural history of Egypt. From its origin in the 5th century AD, the Hanging Church has served as a central figure in the Coptic Orthodox faith, once housing the seat of the Coptic Patriarch and hosting key religious ceremonies that shaped the course of Christian life in Egypt.
It remains not only a place of worship but also an enduring symbol of Egypt’s diverse heritage. We’ll explore the fascinating history, architectural ingenuity, and enduring spiritual significance of the Hanging Church, uncovering what makes this site one of Cairo’s most cherished landmarks.
The Hanging Church, or Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is located in Old Cairo, a historic district that holds some of the most ancient and revered sites and Christian monuments in Egypt. This neighborhood, also known as Coptic Cairo, is situated along the eastern bank of the Nile River and is rich with religious and architectural history. The church itself is nestled within the walls of the Babylon Fortress, a Roman fortress constructed during the 1st century AD by Emperor Trajan.
Positioned at the heart of Old Cairo near other prominent Coptic sites like the Coptic Museum, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Churches of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, the Hanging Church is easily accessible to visitors. This area is one of Cairo’s key heritage sites and provides an immersive experience of Egypt's Christian history, blending the echoes of Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic influences within its ancient streets.
The Hanging Church, officially known as Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is a treasured Christian landmark that embodies the long-standing history of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox heritage. Its name, “the Hanging Church,” originates from its unique construction over the southern gate of the Babylon Fortress, an ancient Roman fortification built during the 1st century AD. It is believed that the holy family hid in the same location during their escape from "King Herod"
This elevated position above an arched gatehouse earned it various other names, including the "Suspended Church," "Staircase Church," and the Arabic "Al-Moallaqa," meaning “the hanging.” Though the exact construction date is uncertain, historians estimate the church was built in the 5th century AD, making it one of Egypt’s oldest Christian structures. For centuries, it served as a focal point of Coptic Christian life in Cairo and a residence for the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch from the 7th century until the 13th century AD.
During its time as the patriarchal seat, the Hanging Church became a setting for significant religious events, including the elections of Coptic patriarchs, official ceremonies, and key assemblies. This pivotal role not only made it an ecclesiastical hub but also a symbol of resilience for Egypt’s Coptic community.
The church endured numerous damages over the centuries, from deliberate destruction during the conflict of 840 AD to structural losses due to natural disasters like the 1992 earthquake. Despite these challenges, the church has been extensively restored, with major repairs completed in 2011, securing its historical and cultural value for generations to come.
The architectural design of the Hanging Church reflects the ingenuity of early Coptic builders, showcasing both structural innovation and religious symbolism. It was built on the ruins of the Babylon Fortress. The church rests on sturdy palm tree logs and stone layers, allowing it to rise approximately 30 feet above ground. Its wooden ceiling is intentionally designed to resemble the inverted hull of Noah’s Ark, symbolizing salvation and divine grace. In its basilican layout, a hallmark of early Christian architecture, the church features a rectangular floor plan with a central nave flanked by side aisles.
The entrance to the church is striking, framed by iron gates set beneath a beautifully pointed stone arch. From here, visitors pass through a narrow, peaceful courtyard adorned with intricate biblical artwork that contrasts with the surrounding architecture. At the end of the courtyard stands the 19th-century facade, which features two slender bell towers flanking the entrance.
These towers, though additions from later renovations, enhance the church’s architectural prominence and reflect the Coptic community’s commitment to preserving and embellishing their sacred space. Over the centuries, the church has undergone numerous renovations, including structural reinforcements, expanded chapels, and modern additions, all carefully integrated to maintain the church’s original design while enhancing its durability and visual grandeur.
The Hanging Church houses one of the finest collections of Coptic iconography in Egypt, showcasing 110 icons that offer a visual narrative of the Coptic Christian faith. Among the icons are images of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul, and archangels such as Gabriel and Michael.
The oldest icon, dating back to the 8th century, reflects early Coptic artistic styles, while the majority of the collection dates to the 18th and 19th centuries, highlighting the evolution of Coptic art over the centuries. Each icon is meticulously painted, often on wood, with intricate details that capture spiritual themes central to Coptic Christianity.
The main altar is a stunning piece made of ebony, intricately inlaid with ivory and decorated with carved Coptic cross designs. It dates to the 12th or 13th centuries, representing the church’s rich religious heritage and artistic mastery. The interior architecture also demonstrates a fusion of Coptic and Islamic art, especially in the geometric and floral motifs that adorn the walls, columns, and altars.
A prominent feature within the church is the marble pulpit, mounted on 15 slender columns. Each column is dedicated to one of Christ’s apostles, except one black column symbolizing Judas Iscariot, adding depth to the spiritual symbolism.
The church’s architecture and decoration bear traces of Cairo’s multicultural past, incorporating Christian and Islamic styles in harmony. Even the church’s wooden ceilings and intricately carved screens reflect influences from Islamic geometric design, underscoring the cultural exchange that has defined Egypt’s long history.
This fusion of artistic styles, combined with the church’s historical significance, makes the Hanging Church not only a place of worship but also a cultural treasure that continues to inspire and attract visitors from around the world.
For all these reasons alone, this church is indeed the most beautiful of all, and every traveler shouldn’t miss such an attraction during their holiday in Egypt. If you are in Cairo and prefer to visit the hanging church, then our Egypt private tours and epic nile river cruise are your best choice to explore everything Egypt has to offer in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan.
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The church is famously known as the "Hanging Church" because it was uniquely constructed on top of the gatehouse of the Babylon Fortress, one of the remaining Roman fortifications in Old Cairo. The church’s nave is elevated over an open passageway, creating the illusion that it is "hanging" above the fortress walls. Its elevated position and the visual effect of its suspended nave are why it is also called "Al-Moallaqa," the Arabic term for "suspended" or "hanging". This architectural design, combined with the 29-step staircase that leads to the church, inspired early travelers to call it "the Staircase Church". The Hanging Church’s distinct position has been a point of fascination for centuries, setting it apart from other Coptic churches in Egypt and solidifying its status as a unique and revered landmark in the Christian heritage of Cairo.
The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
It is the home of everything a traveler might be looking for from amazing historical sites dating to more than 4000 years to enchanting city resorts & beaches. You will live the vacation you deserve as Egypt has everything you could possibly imagine.
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