Old Cairo and Coptic Cairo
Humans initiated their journey into Old Cairo
opposite and below the southern edge of Rhoda Island. Masr al-Qadima is the
name given to the region by the Egyptians, which extended it down to a section
called Coptic Cairo. Once more, suitable clothing covering the entire body,
such as the shoulders and full legs, is obligatory for Islamic and Coptic
historic sites.
Old Cairo is so designated because it is Cairo's
oldest neighborhood, and it precedes the current city of Cairo. Several
Egyptologists presume that a settlement existed here as early as the sixth
century BC. After Afterward Romans created a fortress that we now know as
Babylon. Some of the Roman walls are still standing. It has ancient Muslim and Christian
heritages.
If you plan to visit Cairo, visit Le Riad Hotel de
Charme. It is one of the luxurious hotels residing in the heart of Cairo. This
hotel is at the center of most historical places in Cairo.
Coptic Cairo is the spiritual soul of Egypt's native
Christian community, a peaceful haven that exposes structures of heritage.
Archaeologists discovered remnants of a limited Nile side dating from the sixth
century BC on this location.
The Romans built a fortress here called
Babylon-in-Egypt in the second century AD. The title Babylon is perhaps most
probable a Roman copy of the Pharaonic signature for old Heliopolis,
'Per-Hapi-en-on' (Empire of the Nile God at On).
Babylon has long been a Christian fortress. More
than 20 churches were inside a square kilometer at one moment, but only a few
remain today.
They are connected by thin cobblestone passageways
that run among elevated stone walls. The atmosphere is reminiscent of sections
of Jerusalem's ancient city. The country's oldest place of worship is located
here in Coptic Cairo. It suggests that this may be a matter of chance; when
Jews were driven from their holiest town in AD 70, a few took shelter in Egypt.
The Coptic structure has three entrances. A hollowed
stairway beside the metro bridge provides access to many church buildings. The
entrance gate in the middle serves the Coptic Museum. Now another hallway ahead
south led directly to the Hanging Church. Following are the historical places
in old Cairo, or we can say Coptic Cairo.
The Cairo Coptic Museum houses the world's most
extensive ancient Egyptian Christian art collection. The exhibits tell the
story of Egypt seen between the Pharaonic era and Islamic rule.
Markus Simaika Pasha founded the museum in 1910.
After the inventor obtained permission Church of Alexandria, it was constructed
on land designated for a Coptic Church. In 1931, it was designated as a State
Museum.
The Coptic Museum's displays are spread across two
stories. The third story houses a library with a useful set of ancient
Christian Heretical texts discovered near the Upper Egyptian town of Nag
Hammadi. The library would be only accessible to scholars and historians.
Religious artifacts and items made of stone
carvings, plastering work, religious wall paintings, and carved wood objects
can be found in the first story.
Fabrics, writings, a useful collection of Coptic
symbols, and precious metals can be found on the second floor.
The Hanging Church is Cairo's most well-known Coptic
Church. The Coptic church was one of the first Eastern Orthodox churches, with
its headquarters in Alexandria. The Christian Pope's official residence is now
the Hanging Church. It was constructed in the seventh century, but it is
assumed that churches existed on the site as early as the third or fourth
centuries. It was rebuilt several times, most notably within the tenth century
by Patriarch Abraham.
The Hanging Church has a lovely courtyard surrounded
by religious tiles. The 13 pillars of the marble chapel portray Jesus and the
twelve apostles. It is renowned for its symbols, the oldest of which dates from
the eighth century. The sanctuary screen is constructed of ebony engraved with
tusks and dates from the twelfth or early 13th. It has seven major symbols in a
row. The left display contains 17 icons, while the right has 7 symbols at the
top. The church is a flourishing spot of worship, where important events such
as the ascension to the throne of patriarchs happen.
The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, Egypt's and Africa's
earliest mosque, was constructed in 642-643 (22 AH) in Amr ibn al-'Al. However,
its existing appearance does not correlate with the initial mosque structure.
During the rule of the Umayyad Caliph Muawiyah I,
this mosque was completely renovated, and a minaret was added. Around 711 (92
AH), a slightly curved prayer area was added to the mosque. The mosque was
built to its existing measurements in 827 (212 AH), with seven aisles
constructed ahead of the prayer segment. The 4 minarets at the edges that were
in place at the time have vanished.
The mosque was delivered as a meeting place for the
Muslim community and 'Amr's troops in the early years after the conquest.
The Babylon Fortress takes its name from the
Mesopotamian City of Babylon. Later, it was where Roman King Trajan stationed
his vast armies to suppress the Egyptian people. It served as the border
between Lower and Middle Egypt at that point. Nowadays, it is a member of
Coptic Cairo, in which the City's Christian population resides. The fortress
tried to defend the city against the Arab invasion of Egypt for 7 months before
being overrun by Commander Amr Ibn Al As' army.
It is Egypt's oldest house of worship. The Egyptians
and some American Jewish restored the place of worship in the 1980s. It now
continues to serve as a gallery and no longer provides services. The synagogue
is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Back on the main street, the Greek Abbey and Chapel
of St George are reached via the initial hallway north of the gallery door. St
George is a popular Christian paragon of virtue in the area. Since the tenth
century, there's been a church devoted solely to him at Coptic Cairo. Fires
destroyed the interior, but the flecked window frames and tile roof is still
bright and vibrant. The nearby monastery is not open to the public.
Old Cairo combines many civilizations like
Christians, Muslims, Jews, and, Romans This place is too old and has a vast
history of heritages and fascination. The architecture depicts the high
civilization of those nations, which persisted in Cairo centuries ago. It is a
worthwhile place to tour around and watch what magnificent history the new
Cairo possesses.
.png)
العربية