The Coptic Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, commonly called The Hanging Church (El Muallaqa in Arabic) is located in Old Cairo.
The church sits on top of a gate of the Roman Babylon Fortress, with part of the church suspended over a passageway.
Services are still held in the Hanging Church, one of the oldest churches in Egypt and a significant historical and spiritual place for Coptic Christians. The initial structure on this site was built in the late 7th century. In the 10th century, the church was reconstructed and has been restored numerous times since. The current façade was built in the 19th century.
The interior of the church has finely carved and painted wood arches and a vaulted ceiling in the shape of Noah’s Ark. More than 100 icons are housed in the church, including the famous “Virgin Monalisa.”
All of our published Distinguished Egypt tours with time in Cairo, which is most of them, include a visit to Old Cairo and the Hanging Church.
An optional Old Cairo tour including the Hanging Church can be added to any of our Standard Egypt tours.
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