Experience spiritual wonder at The Cave Church. Delve into the sacred depths of this remarkable Christian sanctuary carved into the Egyptian mountains.
| Overview | |
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| Location | Mokattam Mountain, Cairo |
| Building Date | 10th Century |
| Purpose | Coptic Christian Place of Worship |
| Unique Feature | Carved into the Mountain |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
The Cave Church of Saint Simon the Tanner or the monastery of Samaan Al Kharraz is a miraculous monument found in the womb of divine mountains acting as a holy book made of stone showcasing the power of the faith that can move the strongest mountains.
It is one of the biggest churches in Egypt, the Middle East, and the world able to shed some light on a holy display of allure made by the strength of belief, carved in the core of the deepest part of Cairo city. In the heart of this magnificent monument are the immortal tales and history of some of the most incredible miracles and honorable men of faith the world has ever seen.
Some may wonder, where is the Cave Church located, and the answer is, that the Cave church is found at the very top of the Mountain of Moqattam in an area known as Zabbaleen City "The City of Garbage" on the east bank of the Nile River which has the biggest population of garbage collectors and recyclers in all of Cairo.
It contains six churches that are carved directly into the rocky core of the mountain. Next to the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner are a number of churches which are St. Paul’s Church, St. Mark’s Church, and St. Simon the Tanner's Hall.
The name of cave church was named after Simon the Tanner the Coptic saint who lived in the 10th century AD under the rule of Al Muizz the Islamic Fatimid Caliph who was connected to the moving of the Mokattam Mountain.
The story goes that Al Muizz ordered the Coptic Pope Abraham of Alexandria to move Moqattam Mountain as a test of his faith so he fasted for three whole days and then fainted when the virgin Mary informed him of a man who could move the mountain called Simon the Tanner who had two jobs, the first the shoe repairman and a water distributor to the poor.
He moved the mountain from the area of Ramses after the transfer was complete Saint Samaan disappeared through one of the mountain Caves then a monastery was constructed in the same place.
The history of the monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner dates back to the times of the holy family who hid in this location during their three-year journey in Egypt. It was constructed in the commemoration and memory of Saint Simon in the 10th century AD during the reign of Al Muizz the Fatimid Caliph.
The Zabbaleen City was created by the descendants of farmers who migrated in the 1940s AD from Upper Egypt to Cairo due to poverty and to avoid the municipal authorities but as they became city inhibitors, they didn’t forget their traditions of animals like chickens, ducks, goats, and more. The new city immigrants started salvaging anything that had any sense of value plus all the organic matters acted as food for their animals. As a result of this harmonious arrangement, many immigrants across the years took the place as their new home.
Discover the most famous Egyptian Coptic Churches and read the most important facts about them!
Read More90% of all the residents in the Zabbaleen are Coptic. And a local church was built in 1975 and in 1976 a fire broke and many constructions were destroyed. In the same year, a decision was made 1000 squ m under the Mokattam Mountain into its cave which became known as the Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner which possesses 20,000 seats and makes it the biggest church in the Middle East.
The church is a true piece of art conveying a number of marvelous sculptured statues of Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary. The church holds a number of incredible stories carved into the mountain rocks which tell the birth story of Jesus.
There are carvings that tell the story of the Lazarus miracle of resurrection by Jesus. A number of biblical verses are carved across the walls of the church. There is also the carved story of Zuleikha and Joseph plus the story of Potiphar’s wife. The walls of the church hold the story of the legendary Samson.
Explore this holy site and witness its incredible art by witnessing and listening to the greatest tales about holy figures who moved mountains and reshaped the world.
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In the picturesque Mokattam Mountain area of Cairo, Egypt, stands the Cave Church, also known as the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner. Despite its name, it's not just a cave but a complex of intricately carved churches and chapels. The story behind it takes us back to the 10th century when a devoted Coptic Christian named Simon, a tanner by trade, heard the voice of Christ calling him to move the mountain. With unwavering faith, Simon approached the Islamic governor, Al-Muizz, who, thinking him mad, granted permission. Miraculously, Simon's faith moved a part of the mountain, converting many, including the governor's son, to Christianity. In gratitude, Al-Muizz allowed Simon to carve this remarkable church and monastery. Over time, it expanded to include multiple chapels, seating thousands, and even an amphitheater-like space. Today, the Cave Church is a significant Christian worship site in the Middle East and a popular pilgrimage destination for both Coptic Christians and tourists.
The Cave Church in Cairo aka the Monastery of Saint Simon the Tanner, has a history that dates back to the 10th century. It is believed to have been established around the 10th or 11th century thus making it over a thousand years old. This remarkable complex of churches and chapels carved into the cliffs of the Mokattam Mountain has been a significant religious and pilgrimage site for Coptic Christians for centuries.
The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
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Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
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The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
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