Coptic heritage · Cairo
Church of Saint Barbara
One of the oldest churches of Coptic Cairo, inside the Babylon Fortress, dated by various sources to between the 4th and 6th centuries AD.
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The story
The Church of Saint Barbara is one of the best-known Coptic Orthodox parishes of Coptic Cairo, on the eastern side of the Babylon Fortress in Haret el-Rum. It is among the oldest buildings in Cairo, and sources differ on its foundation: some give the 5th or 6th century AD, others the late 4th to early 5th century. It was rebuilt several times, most notably towards the end of the 11th century. It is dedicated to Saint Barbara and is said to hold her remains.
Good to know
- The church was rebuilt several times, most notably at the end of the 11th century.
- It stands on the eastern part of the Babylon Fortress, in Haret el-Rum.