The Hanging Church, also called the Church of the Virgin Mary, is in Old Cairo within the area of the Babylon Fortress. If you’re planning a visit, you can pair its history and architecture with other religious landmarks in Coptic Cairo, including Saint George’s Church.
Where the Hanging Church Is
The church stands over the ruins of a Roman fortress, near the Coptic Museum. Its setting within the Babylon Fortress area places it among several historic landmarks in Old Cairo. The Hanging Church is about a 25-minute drive from Amarante Pyramids Hotel, making it a possible outing from the hotel.
A Short History of the Hanging Church
Published accounts place the church’s construction between the late 4th century and the 7th century AD. It was built over the ruins of a Roman fortress.
The interior has a court divided into four wings by three rows of marble columns, along with a granite baptismal tank. An 11th-century marble pulpit stands on ten columns. On the east side, five altars sit beneath wooden domes.
The ceiling was made to resemble Noah’s Ark, and icons decorate the church walls. The oldest icon dates to the 15th century AD; most of the others date to the end of the 18th century AD. These details offer a sense of the church’s long religious and architectural history.
Opening Hours, Entry and Visitor Etiquette
The Hanging Church is listed as open daily, Sunday through Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The published ticket table shows no admission price for the church, and the church page provides no separate instructions for buying tickets. Check the official site before you go, since opening information and entry arrangements can change.
For places of worship, modest dress that covers your shoulders and legs is advised. Keep that guidance in mind when planning what to wear for a church visit.
Getting to Coptic Cairo
Mar Girgis is the metro station identified for the Babylon Fortress and nearby Old Cairo religious sites, including the Hanging Church and the Church of Mar Girgis.
Cairo Metro’s Line 1 runs between Helwan and New El Marg, has 35 stations and operates daily from 5:15 AM to 1:00 AM. You can use Mar Girgis as your arrival point for the historic area.
If you’re coming from an airport by taxi, see this Cairo airport taxi guide for arrival information. For the metro’s current operating details, check Cairo Metro’s official information before setting out.
What to See Around the Church
The Coptic Museum, Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque and Babylon Fortress are among the landmarks in the Old Cairo religious-complex area. The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus is another historic religious building in Coptic Cairo. It lies a few feet below street level, giving it a distinct setting within the area.
The Egyptian Geological Museum is another Cairo sight to consider on a separate outing; consult this guide to the Egyptian Geological Museum for its location and visitor information.
Adding Saint George’s Church to the Visit
Saint George’s Church is another historic religious building in Coptic Cairo. The nearby metro station is named Mar Girgis, and its area is associated with both the Hanging Church and the Church of Mar Girgis.
To plan your time, you can start at the Hanging Church, then continue to other landmarks in the Old Cairo religious-complex area. The Coptic Museum, Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque and Babylon Fortress offer nearby context for the religious and architectural history of Coptic Cairo.