• Saint Barbara church Cairo
  • Saint Barbara church Cairo
  • Saint Barbara church Cairo
  • Saint Barbara church Cairo
  • Saint Barbara church Cairo
  • Saint Barbara church Cairo

Saint Barbara church Cairo Egypt tours, prices, booking

Saint Barbara church Cairo is one of the many famous Coptic Orthodox parishes in Old Cairo district. In fact, the building located on the eastern part of the Babylon Fortress. Moreover, it is indeed one of the oldest buildings in Cairo. The church dates back to the 5th or 6th century AD. Like many other buildings of Coptic architecture, Saint Barbara church rebuilt several times. Most by the end of the 11th Century. Saint Barbara church Cairo stands north of the Coptic Museum. It is east of the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga) on the eastern side of Babylon Fortress. It dedicated to Abu Kir and Yohanna or St. Cyrus and St. John.

When the remains of St. Barbara brought here, a separate sanctuary built. Thus, there are now two separate Churches that built on this location. Athanasius, a wealthy scribe and a secretary built the Church. Abdel-Aziz Ibn Marwan is the governor of Egypt between 685 and 705 AD. A door found during one of the church’s many restorations could date as early as the 4th Century. In fact, between 1072 and 1073, the Church restored to house the relics of Saint Barbara. These relics remain to this day.

Further details About St. Barbara church in Cairo:

In fact, the church damaged again by another fire during the 12th century. Moreover, Saint Barbara church Cairo renovated the beginning of the 20th century. Furthermore, the Church of St. Barbara known for its many precious items. These items sent to the nearby Coptic Museum, which is only a two-minute walk from the church. Basilican structure and tripartite sanctuary of the church resembles the one of Abu Serga. Nearby there is a convent which comprises several buildings. It includes a school built by the well known architect Ramses Wissa Wassef.  In fact, Saint Barbara Church Cairo has been a long-lasting example of ancient Coptic architecture. It resembles the shape of ancient Basilicas.

Moreover, it comprises an entrance, a narthex, a long nave, several aisles and three sanctuaries. Most other Coptic Orthodox Churches have more than one Sanctuary. The middle sanctuary is the one of main importance which dedicated to St. Barbara. After entering from the narthex’s lobby, there are five marble columns. They separate the nave from the two aisles. In front of the middle sanctuary there is a semi-circular choir, which consists of 7 large steps. There are several other icons on the southern aisle of the church. They representing Virgin Mary and Jesus when he was a child. They also represent Jesus entering Jerusalem and the baptism of Christ.

Nearby attractions Information, tours and Online Booking

More of Coptic Egypt

More of Egypt attractions