Cairo - Coptic Cairo
The Coptic area is a small enclave of the Egyptian branch of the Coptic Christians. The churches there date back well over 1000 years, including the 9th century Church of St Sergius which is built over the grotto where the Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus stayed after fleeing King Herod. The 7th century Hanging Church with its beautiful wooden interior, which is built over the Roman water gate. The Ben Ezra Synagogue which is in the shell of a 4th century church where Moses was reputed to have been found in the reeds on the Nile’s bank.
And next to the ruins of a Roman tower is the Coptic Museum which contains mosaics and artifacts dating back to the dawn of Christianity in Egypt. The Round Tower of Roman "Fortress of Babylon". The fortress was constructed in 300 CE by Diocletian to fortify the Roman harbor of Old Cairo, built by Trajan 110 CE. The massive round towers flanked the entrance from the harbor to the canal of Trajan which linked the Nile with the Red Sea. The northern tower (now under the Greek Church of St. George) was built over the existing Trajanic harbor wall while the southern tower had been constructed on massive stone foundations.
Read MoreAnd next to the ruins of a Roman tower is the Coptic Museum which contains mosaics and artifacts dating back to the dawn of Christianity in Egypt. The Round Tower of Roman "Fortress of Babylon". The fortress was constructed in 300 CE by Diocletian to fortify the Roman harbor of Old Cairo, built by Trajan 110 CE. The massive round towers flanked the entrance from the harbor to the canal of Trajan which linked the Nile with the Red Sea. The northern tower (now under the Greek Church of St. George) was built over the existing Trajanic harbor wall while the southern tower had been constructed on massive stone foundations.
