The Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, known worldwide as Al-Muallaqa (The Hanging Church), is not merely the oldest Christian church in Cairo but the principal spiritual symbol and historical seat of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Its Arabic name, "Al-Muallaqa," literally means "the suspended”. The church literally seems to hover above the ground, having been built atop the ancient Roman gatehouse of the Babylon Fortress.
History of Construction: A Foundation on Imperial Ruins
At the end of the 1st century AD, the Romans built a powerful fortress here, on the eastern bank of the Nile, called Babylon. Its massive round towers and walls were meant to control the region.
Date of foundation: The first house church (used for secret gatherings) likely appeared on this site in the 3rd–4th centuries, prior to the official cessation of the persecution of Christians. However, the building we see today was constructed later, between the 7th and 9th centuries, during the period of Arab rule in Egypt, which also testifies to the religious tolerance of early Islamic rulers.
Why "Hanging"? The church does not literally "hang" on cables. It was erected on top of the southern gate of the Roman fortress. Two massive Roman bastions served as its foundation. The space between them was built over, and the nave of the church was extended across the old passageway arch. Thus, a significant void formed beneath the main hall of the temple, creating the impression from the street that the church is floating in the air. This was even more noticeable in the past, as the ground level around it was significantly lower.
Can you see the Roman towers now? Yes, and this is one of the most impressive features of a visit! To enter, you do not ascend a regular staircase but walk along a modern brick ramp built in the 19th century. While on it, you can clearly see beneath you the enormous, roughly hewn stone blocks of Roman masonry, the very towers and walls of the Babylon Fortress.
Architecture of the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary
Al-Muallaqa is a classic example of a Coptic Basilica, but with unique features dictated by its location.
Layout: The church has a basilica form with a central nave and two side aisles, separated by rows of columns.
Iconostasis: The main interior focal point is the carved iconostasis of ebony wood with ivory inlay, created in the 12th–13th centuries. This is not merely an altar screen but a masterpiece of medieval art. Its panels are carved with intricate geometric and floral patterns, as well as scenes from the Old Testament and figures of saints. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved iconostases in the world.
Interior and Relics
Main Relic – Icon of the Virgin Mary with Child: The most venerated icon in the church is located in the southern aisle. It is a Coptic icon painted in the classical Byzantine style. According to tradition, it was created by the Evangelist Luke in the 1st century—a pious legend that underscores its antiquity and holiness. Historically, the icon dates to approximately the 7th–8th centuries. The faithful believe in its miraculous power, and candles are always lit before it.
Other Valuable Icons: The walls of the church are adorned with over 100 icons, the oldest of which date back to the 8th century. Among them, icons of the Archangel Gabriel and Saint George the Victorious stand out. The collection represents a visual history of the development of Coptic icon painting.
Pulpit (Ambo): Resting on 13 slender marble columns, symbolizing Christ and the 12 Apostles, is an elegant marble pulpit—one of the oldest in Egypt. It is used only on special holidays.
Baptistery: In the northwest corner of the temple is an ancient baptismal font, also carved from marble, attesting to the importance of the sacrament of baptism in Coptic tradition.
The Church of the Holy Virgin Mary (Al-Muallaqa) is one of the most important historical, architectural, and religious monuments in Cairo, demonstrating the continuity of eras. Its unique structure, erected in the 7th–9th centuries atop the southern gate of the 1st-century Roman Babylon Fortress, gave the church its famous name "Hanging" and allows modern visitors to directly observe the powerful masonry of the ancient fortification.
