Old Cairo

This is a must for all visitors to Cairo. It is a small city within the City, with a metro station close by. Here you find a Christian city - in the form of a large museum, containing churches, monasteries, shops and an old synagogue.

 

The history of the place antedates Islamic and medieval Cairo by hundreds of years. For it was here, in the old Roman fortress (3. century) that the first and Christian Cairo was built. We see many traces of the old fortress, beautifully restored in modern times. Here are lots of churches, the most famous is the so-called "hanging" one, built over one of the towers of the old fortifications, a wonderful monument to Egyptian Christianity. A new Coptic church is also to be seen. The Greek Orthodox church of St. George - Mar Girgis - towers above it all and is the first that meets the eye.

 

You can spend an entire day out here, food and drink will be provided in many small cafees near the entrance.

 

Do not miss the many good bookshops. For those who collect Christian souvenirs and artifacts this is heaven on earth.