About this experience
It may seem strange that there are Christian sites in an Arab country. But Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt after the birth of Jesus. Local attractions are not a result of missionary activity, they have a real biblical history. During the trip, you will explore the main ones, including the city's churches and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. You will also take a walk in the beautiful Al-Azhar Park.
What to expect
The Hanging Church, or the Church of the Virgin Mary. We will tell you how the church got its name. Together we will examine the preserved wooden iconostasis made of Lebanese cedar, inlaid with ivory.
The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus or the Holy Family. It is believed to have been erected on the spot where the Holy Family fleeing from King Herod settled. We will talk about their life on this land. You will get a side view of the main attraction of the temple - the crypt, which is a cave where the family of Jesus Christ lived.
The Ben Ezra Synagogue. The guide will tell you the legends that interpret the construction of the synagogue in this place differently. You will see the stone on which Moses himself prayed. And you will learn how it happened that during the reign of the caliphs all synagogues were destroyed, but Ben Ezra remained untouched.
The Monastery of Saint Simeon, or the Cave Church. Instead of conventional church arches, here is a cave deep in the mountain. We will talk about the monastery builders - the Zabbaleen, who are engaged in garbage collection and recycling. And about their life in the Christian quarter on the outskirts of Cairo - the City of Garbage Collectors.
Al-Azhar Park. Then we will relax in the park, admire one of the wonders of modern Cairo - 30 thousand hectares of greenery, flowers, and alleys. The park is not included in the list of well-known tourist routes, but in beauty and uniqueness, it is in no way inferior to the Egyptian pyramids.
Organizational Details
- You make an advance payment on the website, and the balance must be paid 2 days before the excursion to arrange insurance and permission from the police (this is a mandatory requirement for a trip to Cairo), we will send instructions
- Lunch and drinks are paid separately. We will stop at any cafe of your choice. The check depends on the dishes ordered, but with €10, you can have a decent meal.
How the tour goes
- In a comfortable Toyota minivan
- One-way road takes 6-7 hours depending on traffic
- We will pick you up from the hotel (or any other point) and return you back to the hotel
- The tour will be conducted by me or another guide from our team
