Un articolo dell'Egyptian Gazette sulla "Vecchia Cairo" ed i suoi tesori:
Revisiting Coptic Cairo
 |
| Marvellous work of architecture: The interior of the Hanging Church, with pointed arches, granite pillars, cedar panelling and translucent ivory screens, is intericately decorated. |
Old Cairo (Masr al-Qadima in Arabic) describes the area that grew up around the Roman fortress of Babylon, built in the time of Augustus after his conquest of Egypt in 30 B.C.
In particular it is often taken to mean the settlement within the remains of the fortress itself, which surrendered to the Arabs in 641 and became known as Qasr al-Shamah, Fortress of the Beacon.Several ancient churches and a synagogue (generally open 8am - 4pm daily) stand within or on the walls, some possibly built as early as the fourth century, though both Jews and Christians claim much older associations with the place.At the southwest corner of the fortress, the Coptic Church of al-Muallaqa, the Hanging Church, was built on the bastions of the Roman gate, its nave suspended above the passage. The church may have begun as a small chapel for the soldiers at the gate, but the present structure, which in any case has been rebuilt, is unlikely to have been raised upon the walls until the Arab conquest made them redundant. Services are held in Arabic and also in Coptic, which nowadays is a liturgical language only but was once the everyday spoken language of Egyptians.East of the church, steps lead down to a tunnel through which you enter the fortress precincts, a largely Coptic neighbourhoud of little winding streets with an almost rural atmosphere of remoteness. But times have not always been so peaceful. For security, the churches usually avoided facing onto the street, and their main entrances were walled up against attack, so that entry was through a small side door in an otherwise blank façade.Abu Sarga, the Coptic church of St. Sergius, is possibly the oldest church within the fortress; it is thought to date from the fourth or fifth century, though it was restored and partly rebuilt in the twelfth. Christian pilgrims from all over Europe visited Abu Sarga during the Middle Ages because of its associations with the Flight into Egypt; steps to the right of the altar lead down to the crypt where, according to tradition, the Holy Family found refuge after fleeing from Herod.You can reach the place for LE1 aboard the Cairo tube and get off at the Mari Guirguis station.The Church of the Virgin: It dates from the 8th century and contains precious icons and has three altars.Saint Barbara Church: It is next to Abu Serga Church and carries the name of the lady who was killed by her heathen father when she embraced Christianity. It is one of the most beautiful Coptic churches which dates from the early 5th century A.D. and still retains its wooden door.The Greek Orthodox Church(Mari Guirguis):It is built on one of the towers of Babylon fortress adopting a basilican style with a round dome.The Churches of Abu Seifein Monastery:Located in Amr Mosque Street, near the subway station (Mari Guirguis), It comprises three churches:* Anba Shenouda Church:* Abu Seifein Church (Saint Marcurius), in which is the cave of Saint Barsoum El Erian* The Church of the Virgin of El DamshirMari Mina Church:It is located in the area of Fum Al-Khalig. It dates from the late fifth and early sixth century. It relates to Saint Mina who is considered one of the most famous saints of the Coptic Church who was martyred during the persecution the Christians suffered at the hands of Roman Emperor Diocletian.Courtesy of 'Cairo Illustrated', a guidebook by Michael Haag, published by the American University in Cairo Press.