the hanging Church

Egyptian landmarks

The Hanging Church is one of the most famous and oldest Coptic monuments in Egypt. It is characterized by a rare architectural style that makes it one of the most beautiful churches in the Middle East. It also represents the first seat of the patriarchs in Cairo.

–The church is located within the Old Cairo district, meters away from the Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque, the Ibn Ezra Synagogue, the Church of Saint Mina next to the Babylon Fort and the Church of the Martyr Mercurius, known as Abu Sefin. It is also located to the south of the Coptic Museum and includes 13 giant columns representing Christ and the Twelve Apostles.

–The church is considered the first papal headquarters in Cairo and many major Christian religious ceremonies were held in it. Perhaps what this church is famous for is the icons distributed on its walls, which amount to 90 icons, and therefore the Ministry of Antiquities always seeks to preserve Egyptian antiquities and preserve its historical landmarks.

— The reason for calling it the “Hanging Church” is due to its construction on two ancient towers of the Roman fortress known as the “Babylon Fort”, that fortress that was built during the reign of Emperor Trajan in the second century AD, and the church was built at a height of 13 meters from the surface of the earth and on An area of ​​23 meters in length, 18.5 meters in width and 9.5 meters in height, the church was built in the late fourth and early fifth centuries AD.

— The church is rectangular in shape, and is characterized by the basilica style consisting of 3 wings and a structure divided into 3 parts, the main nave and two small wings, including 8 columns on each side of the church.

— The church has 3 structures on the eastern side, the right one bears the name “St. John the Baptist”, the left one bears the name “St. Mary George”, and the middle one bears the name “St. Virgin Mary”, in addition to a group of columns capitals that are characterized by the “Corinthian” style. It is an ornate column style developed in ancient Greece.

–The church is considered the first papal headquarters in Cairo and many major Christian religious ceremonies were held there. Perhaps what this church is famous for is the icons distributed on its walls, which amount to 90 icons.

— The Hanging Church witnessed the first restoration process in 1998. The restoration of the church included the treatment of the effects resulting from the increase in the groundwater level, in addition to the restoration of the church’s icons and murals.

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