Hanging Church

A beautiful and historic place – truly a must-visit in Cairo! The Hanging Church is very well preserved and full of fascinating details. I really appreciated how welcoming and respectful the staff were – they treat tourists with great kindness. It was a wonderful experience, and I’m glad I had the chance to visit such an important site.

What an architectural marvel !!! A must go in Cairo. I enjoyed all the intricate wood work inside the church. They have been preserving it for all these years. If you look at the church while you enter, it gives the illusion that it is hanging from nowhere. Once you go inside you can see sealed-off passages that goes down. The historical aspect of the church is also very interesting for history lovers. Church is special needs friendly especially friends with mobility issues. They have ramp and an elevator to go up the floor and inside.

Lovely church, was refreshing to see a eucalyptus tree there (as an Aussie a long way from home). You can use the leaves as soap at the nearby sink btw if anyone does end up going. Very nice interiors, fine Coptic art.

Probably the most popular church in Coptic Cairo. A very historical church which is still standing. Visitors can enter free though there is no access to the lower levels. Enjoyed my visit here. Some relics can be found in the church and through a small glass opening, you can see the lower levels. I liked the stock of papyrus in their store. Free to enter with free-to-use toilets which is a bonus in Egypt!

Beautiful and peaceful spot in the heart of Old Cairo. The architecture is stunning, especially the wooden ceiling that resembles Noah’s Ark. There’s a lot of history here, it’s one of the oldest churches in Egypt. Definitely worth a visit if you’re exploring Coptic Cairo!

Felt like stepping into a sacred story. The Egyptian Guy ( who has a photo with me ) who works inside told me that it was built above an old Roman fortress, so it's not just as beautiful but full of history and strength. The wooden ceiling inside, shaped like Noah's Ark, the ancient icons, and the peaceful vibes made it one of the most meaningful stops on my trip.

The Hanging Church, officially named Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is one of the most famous Coptic churches in Egypt, built in the 3rd century AD. The church gets its name from its unique location: it is built above the gate of the Babylon Fortress. The current structure mainly dates back to the 11th century, but its origins can be traced as far back as the 3rd or 4th century. The interior is richly decorated, featuring 110 icons, the oldest of which date back to the 8th century. The Hanging Church has been the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope since the 11th century, replacing Alexandria as the official residence of the pope. The current Coptic Orthodox Pope is Pope Tawadros II (Theodore II), and his portraits can be seen throughout the church. Coptic Cairo feels like a peaceful sanctuary, separated from the hustle and bustle of Cairo—I really love the atmosphere here! -9/1/25

I'm using this review as an endorsement of this church, but also of the entire Coptic area of Cairo. It is a fascinating window onto the history, culture, and religion of a very sizable minority of Egypt. Let's not forget that Copts and their religion were here prior to the spread of Islam from the Arabian peninsula.