Hanging Church
The Hanging Church Facts
The Church on the Ropes (also known as the Hanging Church) is a church that hangs from the ceiling.
What is the history of the hanging church, and when was it constructed?
A visit to Coptic Cairo would be incomplete without a stop to its most renowned attraction, the Church of the Virgin Mary, often known as “the Hanging Church.” The name derives from the fact that it was erected on top of the walls of the Roman fortification of Babylon, which dates back to the 4th century BC and the vestiges of which can still be seen around Coptic Cairo.
Even though the ground level has risen more than 30 feet throughout the ages as a result of the buildup of waste and dust, this church formerly towered over its surroundings on the high walls of the castle; the impact is substantially weakened now.
The church was built in the 9th century, although it is believed that the site was initially used by the church as early as the 3rd century AD, making it one of the earliest Christian religious sites in Egypt, if not the oldest. Although a 19th-century portico added onto the front of the church obscures part of its original splendor, it is often regarded as the most magnificent of the area’s historic churches. The front of the church, which dates back to the 13th century, may still be seen from inside the portico.
The beautiful interior is adorned with inlaid motifs of bone and ivory that seem to be inspired by the geometric and organic shapes that are characteristic of Islamic architecture.
Coptic Cairo (Arabic):
Coptic Cairo, along with Old Cairo, is a unique area that contains a concentration of Christian churches and other sites that date from the centuries between the decline of the pharaonic religion and the arrival of Islam, when Egypt had a Christian majority. Coptic Cairo is a must-see destination in Egypt. Coptic Cairo is mostly centered on the ruins of the fort of Babylon and the walls that formerly surrounded it.
It is here that you will find the Coptic Museum, which houses the world’s biggest collection of Coptic Christian artwork and antiques. The museum, which was established in 1910, documents Coptic history from the time of the advent of Christianity in Egypt up to the time of the Ottoman Empire, showcasing a diverse collection of artwork inspired by Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman traditions.
In addition, six churches date back to the early Christian era. The Hanging Church, also known as the Church of the Virgin Mary, was constructed in the 9th century to ‘hang’ far over the city of Babylon’s fortifications. Because the ground levels have risen around the walls, the impact of this ‘hanging’ has been greatly reduced in recent years. Deeper into Coptic Cairo, there are several other older churches to visit, including the Church of St. Sergius, which dates back to the 5th century and is said to have been built on the site of a crypt where the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) took refuge during their time in Egypt, according to tradition. Ben Ezra Synagogue is located much farther back in the neighborhood. This is the oldest synagogue in Cairo, having been built in the 9th century on the site of what is either the Temple of Jeremiah or the spot where the pharaoh’s daughter discovered Moses among the reeds. The synagogue is dedicated to the prophet Jeremiah.
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