Coptic Cairo
In a small enclave of narrow alleys encircled by high walls, where a community of Christians live in tangible poverty behind dusty doors, five churches bear witness to pre-Islamic times. The most atmospheric is the Hanging Church, so called because it was built on top of a Roman gate.
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and dating back to the 4th century, paintings and icons cover walls that rise into ark-like barrel roofs, beautiful ivory inlaid screens hide the altars and 13 columns, representing Christ and the Apostles, support the huge carved marble pulpit.
The crypt beneath the nearby Church of St Sergius is believed to be a cave where the Holy Family rested after their flight from King Herod, but as it seems to be permanently flooded you can’t get into it.
Dating from the 9th century, Ben Ezra, Cairo’s oldest synagogue, lies nearby. Built on the site of a 4th century church, and much renovated in the late 19th century, it is said that it was on this spot that Jeremiah gathered the Jews fleeing from Nebuchadnezzar. There’s also a belief that Moses was found in the bulrushes here.
Sharia Mar Girgis , Cairo, Egypt
Cost per person (no concessions): Free
Added 2008/07/04 @ 00:24:24
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