Saint Barbara Church, Cairo

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Saint Barbara Church, Cairo

Saint Barbara Church, Cairo

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint Barbara stands as one of the renowned parishes within the district of Coptic Cairo. Situated on the eastern side of the Babylon Fortress, it boasts a rich history dating back to either the 5th or 6th century AD. However, much like numerous other structures in Coptic architecture, it underwent multiple reconstructions, with a significant one occurring towards the close of the 11th century.

This church is celebrated for its valuable artifacts, which were relocated to the nearby Coptic Museum, a mere two-minute walk away. The architectural layout of Saint Barbara's Church, with its basilican structure and tripartite sanctuary, closely mirrors that of Abu Serga, also known as the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus. Adjacent to the church, there exists a convent comprising several edifices, including a school designed by the renowned architect Ramses Wissa Wassef.

Saint Barbara's Church, while a venerable example of ancient Coptic architecture, takes its design cues from ancient Basilicas. It encompasses an entrance, a narthex, a lengthy nave, multiple aisles, and three sanctuaries. As is customary in many Coptic Orthodox churches with multiple sanctuaries, the central sanctuary is of paramount importance and is dedicated to Saint Barbara.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cairo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Saint Barbara Church on Map

Sight Name: Saint Barbara Church
Sight Location: Cairo, Egypt (See walking tours in Cairo)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cairo, Egypt

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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