Coptic Cairo, The Hanging Church, Abu Serga, Ben Ezra

Description

Discover the historical treasures of the Coptic Christian community on this Halfday private tour of Coptic Cairo. Travel into this captivating neighborhood, also known as Old Cairo, with your private guide, and visit a medley of early, icon-adorned churches, including the Hanging Church and Abu Serga, where the holy family is said to have found refuge. Learn about Egypt’s rich Coptic heritage, and visit the Coptic Museum, a treasure trove of ancient artifacts that tell the story of this Christian community, one of the world’s oldest.

Highlights

Private tour of the Coptic sites of Cairo

Learn about the history of Christianity in Egypt

See the oldest Christian church in Egypt, The Hanging Church

Visit Abu Serga, one of the places the Holy family rested when fleeing Israel

Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt

Visit to the Coptic Museum

Enjoy privileged, personalized attention from your expert Egyptologist guide on this special private tour

What You Can Expect

Leave your Cairo or Giza hotel by minivan and start your halfday tour. If you have any particular areas of interest, let your private guide know. Your commentary and itinerary can be tailored to your wishes.

Head into Coptic Cairo, an area also known as Old Cairo. This colorful quarter is the original home of the Coptic Christians, one of the world’s oldest Christian denominations.

Stop to see the Hanging Church, aka St Virgin Mary’s Church. Build in the 7th century, this old church takes its name from its location: sited above a gateway in the old Roman fortress. Admire the courtyard and interior with its screens, marble pulpit and icons, and hear about its long history.

Next, after a visit to the Monastery and Church of St George, an early 20th-century church that is the only round church in Egypt, call at Abu Serga, a 5th-century Coptic church. View the 24 interior columns and 12th-century icons on the walls, and learn how the church stands where the holy family is thought to have stayed during their flight into Egypt from Israel’s King Herod.

Then, take a look at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, once a Christian church, before finishing your tour at the Coptic Museum, located in one of Coptic Cairo’s oldest areas. See some of the 16,000 ancient artifacts on display, including precious icons and books that illustrate the history of Egypt’s Coptic community.

Before your tour ends, take the opportunity to visit a papyrus institute to see artisans paint on this natural material, and perhaps purchase some artworks.

Your halfday tour then ends with a hotel drop-off.

Entrance fees are not included in the price of any tours: We do not charge in advance for site entrance fees to add flexibility to your program as you may choose to skip one or more sites depending upon your interests.