Holy Family Sites in Cairo: Churches and Sacred Places to Visit

The Holy Family's journey through Egypt is one of the most spiritually enriching and historically significant sagas in world history. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus fled Bethlehem to escape the king's decree that all male infants must be killed. Their travels through desert sands, fertile river valleys and rocky cliffs covered some 3,500 km in about three and a half years. While their journey through Egypt took them across the country, Cairo is the beating heart where many of the most sacred, accessible and well-preserved of these holy sites can be found.

Today, the best places to experience the ancient trail of the Holy Family in modern-day Cairo range from deep caves beneath Roman fortresses to ancient sycamores and riverside launchings on the banks of the Nile.

1. Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo): Core fortress sanctuaries

The ancient walled district of Coptic or Old Cairo encompasses a maze-like street of modest shops and homes within the stone walls of the ancient Roman Fortress of Babylon. Its concentration of sites related to the Holy Family make it the best starting point for a pilgrimage or cultural tour of Old Cairo.

The Church of Abu Serga (St. Sergius and Bacchus)

Of all the churches in Egypt, the Church of Abu Serga holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Copts. Located on the bastions of the fortress, this 4th century church was built over the very crypt where the Holy Family hid and rested for several weeks while in Cairo.

The main level of this impressive basilica possesses early Christian architecture of great value, including a forest of 12 soaring marble columns decorated with painted portraits of saints, a fascinating wooden roof resembling Noah's Ark and a magnificent 13th century iconostasis of finely carved ivory and ebony. But the real highlight lies beneath in the subterranean crypt.

Following the steps down into the cool cavern reveals the very cave where the Holy Family took shelter, a small limestone chamber some six meters deep. It even possesses an early baptismal font and an ancient stone well used by the Holy Family to drink from.

The Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa)

Dedicated to the Virgin Mother, the 3rd or 4th century Hanging Church is one of the oldest churches in Egypt. Its name derives from its unique location, as the main nave is suspended over the southern gatehouse towers of the Roman fortress, creating a large hollow beneath the main floor which is enclosed by glass panels.

While the Hanging Church did not provide shelter for the Holy Family, it was the home of the Coptic Orthodox Pope for centuries and is the visual centerpiece of Coptic Cairo. Inside, there are more than 110 ancient icons, a beautifully carved 11th century marble pulpit supported by thirteen pillars and intricately decorated woodwork which has lasted for more than a millennium.

The Church of Saint Barbara

A short walk from the Hanging Church through the narrow alleys of Old Cairo is the 11th century Church of Saint Barbara. Set on the inner walls of the fortress, this sanctuary lies along the path of the Holy Family who walked the Roman garrison quarter. It is renowned for its tranquilty, beautiful woodwork and numerous early saint relics.

2. Northern Cairo: Miraculous springs and sacred trees

As the Holy Family made their journey through what is now known as Greater Cairo, they passed through the present north Cairo area, which was once a series of gardens and natural springs.

Virgin Mary's Tree and Well in Matariya

Located some distance to the north in the district of Matariya lies Virgin Mary's Tree, one of the most popular open-air pilgrimage sites in Cairo. According to centuries-old Coptic and local tradition, the Holy Family had been resting beneath the shade of one of the large sycamore trees after narrowly escaping the local hostile forces in the city center.

To slake their thirst, the infant Jesus produced a fresh water spring from the earth. Mary used of the clean running water to wash her child's clothes and where the water from the washing was poured into the earth grew aromatic balsam plants. Historically, the fragrant oil from this type of plant was collected and used to make chrism which was blessed by Coptic popes and European royalty for holy consecration and coronations.

The original tree lived for centuries but a direct offshoot of the tree was planted on the exact spot in 1672. Today, this area has been converted to an open-air museum complex which contains the ancient sprawling sycamore tree, a museum displaying many of the ancient Coptic icons and artifacts and informative displays about this district's history.

The Church of the Virgin Mary in Mustorod

Just north of Matariya on the outskirts of Cairo lies Mustorod, a district which possesses a special place in Coptic tradition. The locals call this site Al-Mahamma (the bathing place).

According to tradition, it was here that Mary washed the baby Jesus and his clothes in a natural spring. A beautiful church dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built over this holy site in the 12th century. Every year, thousands of local and overseas visitors flock to Mustorod during the official Coptic feast days to pray beside this underground spring which continues to run inside a small stone chapel beneath the main sanctuary.

3. Southern Cairo: The Nile River launchpoint

Before leaving Cairo in their continuing journey south into Upper Egypt, the Holy Family walked along the eastern bank of the Nile to the southern district of Maadi.

The Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi

Perched on the quiet banks of the Nile River, one of the most fascinating aspects of the Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi is its location on the exact spot where the Holy Family, upon realizing that they needed to get even further away from the local authorities, boarded a small wooden sailboat to journey up-river to Minya and Asyut.

The Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi complex possesses an ancient stone staircase descending directly from the courtyard into the water. By walking these steps, visitors can descend to where the family launched into the river.

A famous modern miracle took place at the Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi in 1976, when a large wooden Bible was discovered floating on the surface of the Nile just outside the church. Opened to the book of Isaiah, it displayed the prophecy: "Blessed be Egypt my people." This ancient Bible is today housed inside a glass display case in the sanctuary for the pilgrims to the site to view.

4. Travel guide for visiting Cairo's Holy Family sites

To ensure smooth, rewarding and respectful visits to these sacred locations, keep the following travel tips in mind:

Best times to visit: For pleasant, mild weather during your trip to Old and New Cairo to see these important holy sites, consider planning your visit between October and April. Early mornings are best for a visit to Old Cairo, where the maze of narrow streets are fairly deserted before the larger crowds arrive.

Appropriate dress code: All the sites featured in this guide are places of active worship. It is important that you, as a visitor, dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered and remove your hats indoors inside the sanctuaries.

Navigating Old Cairo: The best way to get there is by taking the Cairo Metro to marjee Al-Giryani or Mar Girgis Station, which drops you right on the entrance to the fortress. For visiting sites in Matariya, Mustorod and Maadi, using a private car or licensed tour driver is best.