Overview:

Hanging Church, also known as the Church of the Virgin Mary is a Coptic Orthodox church in Cairo, Egypt. It is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, and was originally built in the 3rd or 4th century AD over the south gate of the Roman Fortress of Babylon. The church is well-known for its unique design, with the entrance located at the base of the southern tower with the remainder of the church suspended above the Babylon Fortress. The structure has survived several earthquakes, and today the Hanging Church stands as a symbol of Christian faith in a predominantly Muslim country. Inside the church, visitors can see a collection of icons and several manuscripts dating back to the 8th century. The church is open to the public and welcomes visitors of all faiths. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

The Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Cairo, Egypt and was built in the 7th century AD. It is one of the most iconic churches of the Coptic Orthodox Church and is visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year. It is a prominent site in Cairo and has a unique architecture that sets it apart from other churches in the area. The Hanging Church was built on top of an old temple of the Roman deity Isis, and is believed to have been used as a place of religious worship since its construction. The church is made of wood, and the walls are decorated with engravings of scenes from the Bible. Inside the church, there are several relics and icons from the Coptic Orthodox Church, as well as a number of historic manuscripts. The Hanging Church is also known for its unique architecture, with its imposing high ceiling and incredible wooden structure. It is also home to many ancient tombs and frescoes, which add to its unique atmosphere. The Hanging Church is a prominent feature of the Christian quarter of old Cairo and remains a popular site for tourists and pilgrims today. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Hanging Church, also known as the Convent of the Virgin Mary and St. George, is one of the oldest churches in Cairo, believed to have been established in the 4th century. The church was named as such because it was built atop the gate of an ancient fortress, and it appears to be ‘hanging’ from a great height. It is situated in the Coptic quarter of Cairo, near the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, and the church is home to one of the most venerated icons in the Christian world - the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary. The Hanging Church is typical of Coptic churches in its design, with its three aisles, sanctuary, transepts and two towers. The wooden roof is supported by marble pillars which are decorated with Coptic symbols, ornate carvings and ancient hieroglyphs. These symbols are believed to represent the Ten Commandments - the most important principles of Christianity - and the pillars are said to be made of the granite blocks used to support the walls of the ancient fortress. The inside of the Hanging Church is richly decorated. There are large and old icons on the walls, several of which were believed to be painted by Saint Mark, who lived in Egypt about the year 60 AD and is believed to have founded the Coptic Church, the official church of Egypt. The oldest portion of the Hanging Church is believed to be a chapel that was built in the 4th century, although it is likely that a church stood on the site before then. The church was named after the Virgin Mary in the 5th century, and in the same century the Church is believed to have been moved and rebuilt on higher ground, becoming the "hanging" church that can be seen today. Since then, the Church has experienced several renovations, with a major one taking place in the 19th century that saw the addition of a bell tower and other improvements. Today the Hanging Church is still an important place of worship and attracts a number of tourists every year. It is sometimes called the "Cradle of Christianity in Egypt" due to its long history and pivotal role in the Coptic Church. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Hanging Church, also known as the Church of the Virgin Mary, is one of the oldest Coptic churches in Cairo, Egypt. 2. The church is unique in that it is built over the gatehouse of the old Roman Fortress, known as Babylon. It was constructed in the 7th century, but some parts of it date back to the 4th century. 3. The Church is renowned for its colorful icons, its combination of Coptic and Roman architecture and its air of mystery. 4. The church is visited by thousands of pilgrims annually, made up of devotees of Coptic Orthodox Christianity, as well as tourists from around the world. 5. The Church is so named due to its elevated position, as it appears to be “hanging” over the walls of the old city. 6. The Hanging Church has three sanctuaries, eleven domes, and four towers. 7. The Church’s basement is home to a Maronite chapel, which is also known as the Crypt of Saint George. 8. The church was once known as the Church of Saint Samaan, but was changed to the Church of the Virgin Mary after the epic siege of Cairo in 1168, which resulted in the Coptic King Tallaless revolutionising the city. 9. The church is home to some of the oldest icons of the Virgin Mary, some of which date back to the 11th century. 10. The church is located on the Sharia Mariaman, near the famous Khan Al-Khalili market and is regarded as one of the most important religious landmarks of Cairo. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era