The Cave Church

The Cave Church in Cairo is a massive open-air Coptic church nestled inside a cave – and it’s a must-see architectural gem on your Egypt itinerary.

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The Coptic are the Egyptians all the Egyptians not only the Christians, the word derived from the ancient Egyptian phrase (Ht-Ka-Ptah) which means the place or House of God ptah, the creator who created all creatures by his pottery-wheel, the name which changed to Egopty in latin language and then Egypt in English.

The enormous Cave Church is tucked deep inside a natural cave in the Mokattam Mountain.

Mokkatam Hill is the highest point in Cairo, Mokattam Corniche“ is Cairo’s tallest peak. From here at 240m you can enjoy the view over the city’s landmarks together with some Egyptian tea.

The Cave Church holds up to 2,000 worshipers and hosts services surrounded by its rugged cave walls.

The church is also the heart of the local Christian community. It’s a quiet and serene spot surrounded by greenery. And it’s an off the beaten path destination partly because the streets are narrow and not easy to access.

The Cave Church is located inside the so-called “Garbage City” (known locally as Manshiyat Naser), which is an interesting district that’s also worth exploring.

Many of the locals work as waste collectors who collect trash across the city and then recycle the materials in their workshops in Mokattam.

A visit to Garbage City can be easily combined with sightseeing at the Cave Church.

Also known as The Monastery of St. Simon the Tanner, the church was established in 1975 when the Zabaleen (waste collectors) began to settle permanently in Mokattam.

The Cave Church in Cairo is now the largest in the Middle East.

The large amphitheater has a big stage with an alter, statues and icons. The walls of the church are adorned with reliefs of Biblical figures carved right into the mountain rocks.

The church is a stunning sight to see – and an awe-inspiring architectural marvel that will definitely leave you inspired.

What is “garbage city”?
Many of the Zabaleen (trash collectors) were farmers who fled poor harvests and poverty in Upper Egypt and migrated to Cairo for work.

They initially raised livestock in the hills. But they later found waste collecting and recycling a lot more profitable.

And their neighborhood began to grow.

The Cave-Church is found at the very top of Mokkatam Hill, it contains six Churches that are carved directly into the rocky core of the mountain.