Coptic Church of St. Barbara
Egypt
It was originally dedicated to Abu Kir and Yohanna (or Ss. Cyrus and John). When the remains of St. Barbara were brought here, a separate sanctuary was built. Thus, there are now two separate churches that were built on this location. Athanasius, a wealthy scribe and a secretary of Abdel-Aziz Ibn Marwan (governor of Egypt between 685 and 705 AD), had built the church. A door found during one of the church's many restorations could date as early as the 4th century. Between 1072 and 1073, the church was fully restored to house the relics of Saint Barbara. These relics remain to this day. The church was damaged again by a fire during the 12th century. The church was most recently renovated extensively between 1910 and 1922, when the khurus, a transverse room preceding the sanctuary, was sacrificed in order to allow more space.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Coptic Church of Saint Barbara, one of the most significant and beautiful religious sites in Old Coptic Cairo. Situated on the eastern side of the Roman Fortress of Babylon, this church is a testament to the…
Listen in the app2The Western Entrance and Narthex
Our tour begins at the western entrance of the church. As you enter, you pass through a small narthex, a traditional transitional space in early Christian architecture. …
Listen in the app3The Nave and the Ten Columns
Entering the main body of the church, you find yourself in the nave, which is flanked by two wings or aisles. The nave is separated from these aisles by ten magnificent marble columns—five on each side. …
Listen in the app4The Walnut Iconostasis — A Masterpiece of Woodwork
At the front of the nave stands the church's most remarkable artistic feature: the main iconostasis or icon screen. This magnificent piece of woodwork dates back to the 11th and 13th centuries and is crafted from walnut wood…
Listen in the app5The Main Altar and Marble Sanctuary
Behind the iconostasis lies the main altar, the most sacred part of the church. The current sanctuary is made of marble and was established relatively recently, but it sits within the ancient structural framework. …
Listen in the app6Side Chapels and the Church of St. Bakir
To the sides of the main altar are additional chapels that further enrich the church's spiritual map. On the right is the southern altar, which features its own walnut and ivory iconostasis and a sanctuary dedicated to other…
Listen in the app7The Marble Pulpit and Relics
On the northern side of the nave stands a magnificent marble pulpit, fixed upon ten small columns. The pulpit is decorated with prominent engravings representing crosses and augmented crowns. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our tour of the Coptic Church of Saint Barbara, we are left with a sense of the profound continuity of the Coptic faith. For fifteen hundred years, this site has been a place of prayer, beauty, and resilience. …
Listen in the app
What is Coptic Church of St. Barbara?
Coptic Church of St. Barbara is a place in Egypt with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Egypt |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 30.0715, 31.2589 |
| Last updated |
Nearby places
within a 5-minute walk
Sakakini PalaceHeritage8 sections
Mosque of al-Zahir BaybarsHeritage8 sections
St. Peter and St. Paul's Church, CairoHeritage8 sections
Bab al-FutuhHeritage8 sections
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox CathedralHeritage9 sections
Al-Hakim MosqueHeritage8 sections
Basilica of St Therese of the Child JesusHeritage8 sections
Al-Suhaymi HouseHeritage8 sections