The Hanging Church in Cairo, Egypt
The history of the construction of the Coptic Orthodox Church and facts about the most important Coptic Egyptian Antiquities and historical churches in Egypt, why it was called by this name, why the Hanging Church occupies a great position among Christians and more about the Coptic period.
The Hanging Church or the Coptic Orthodox Church is one of the monuments located in the Old Cairo district. The importance of the Hanging Church is due to a group of factors, perhaps including its proximity to a group of archaeological sites such as the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-Aas and the Fortress of Babylon. Learn more information below..
The Hanging Church Facts
The Hanging Church stands on two ancient Roman towers, so it was called the Hanging Church..
The towers, which date back to the Roman fort, were built by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century AD..
The Roman castle or hanging church comes from 29 steps, so it was called the Church of the Stairs by some travelers in Cairo..
The church rises about 6 meters above the ground, but at present the Roman tower is mostly buried underground, so it does not appear in its former form..
The entrance to the church comes from an iron gate under a stone arch, and then you see double towers outside a narrow courtyard with biblical drawings..
After climbing the stairs you will find a small courtyard leading to the external terrace, which dates back to the 11th century..
A glimpse into the history of the Hanging Church
The castle was built on the ruins of a site said to be the site where the Virgin Mary and Christ took refuge..
The church is also said to have been built on a site that was once a place where female monks retreated..
Since the church is a famous archaeological site, it has been cared for in different ways throughout the ages..
In the Islamic era, the church was renovated during the reign of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, who asked Patriarch Anba Markos to renovate the church..
The second time the church was renovated in the Islamic era was during the reign of Al-Aziz Billah Al-Fatimi, who allowed Patriarch Ephrem to renovate the churches of Egypt, including the Hanging Church..
During the reign of Al-Zahir li-Azaz li-Din Allah, it was the third time the castle was renovated in the Islamic era..
A number of patriarchs dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries are buried in the church..
Patriarch Christodoulos made the church the seat of the Pope of Alexandria..
There are still pictures of the patriarchs inside the church and candles are lit for them to this day..
In ancient times, trials were held in the Hanging Church to punish erring priests and to try heretics as well..
Hanging Church Design
Mary Girgis Street is the western side of the church facade..
The church has two floors and a fountain in its front yard..
The church was built in the basilica style, which consists of three wings and a front courtyard. The church also has a structure divided into three parts..
The church comes in a rectangular shape..
The church’s dimensions are 23.5 meters long, 18.5 meters wide, and 9.5 meters high..
The church consists of a nave, which is the main one, in addition to two small wings, and there are 8 columns in the wings..
There are 3 columns in the middle of the courtyard and the northern wing..
There are also columns separating each wing from the other, and they contain black basalt..
There are three altars in the church, the middle altar is called Saint Mary the Virgin, the right altar is called John the Baptist, while the third altar is called Mary George..
In front of these structures are screens made of wood and the screen in the middle is made of transparent ivory, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries..
There are icons of Christ on the throne, as well as icons of the Virgin Mary and the Angel Gabriel, in addition to an icon of Saint Peter..
Above the altar is a wooden canopy placed on 4 columns, and behind the canopy is the council of the clergy..
What is the historical significance of the Hanging Church?
The church is considered one of the most famous Coptic churches in Cairo, and is considered one of the first churches built in the basilica style..
The location of the church is one of its most important advantages, as it is located in the middle of a group of monuments dating back to different eras..
There are a number of original components of the church, including the three altars, which have been replaced with marble panels..
Mosaics were found in the relief crosses, which is considered amazing, because the primitive church contains that material..
The church contains about 100 icons dating back to the 8th century, as well as the Palm Tree of Barati Bey, which dates back to 1898..
Inside the church is the seat of the Coptic Pope, which was the seat of the church in 1047..
Entry date
Daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Mass times
On Sundays from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., and there is another Mass at 11:00 a.m..
Wednesday from 7:30 am to 9:30 am.
Friday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Note: Facts and secrets of the history will be added soon…
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