Church of St. Barbara
Church of St. Barbara
4
About
Considered one of Egypt’s largest and most magnificent churches, this religious site features a domed asp with seven steps decorated in bands of black, white and red marble.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Address
How to get there
- Ghamra • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
756 within 3 miles
Attractions
232 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
39 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
18
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
0
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,621 contributions
Oct 2019
The Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Barbara is a church in Coptic Cairo and one best known for its relic of Saint Barbara. The church isn’t all that interesting except for the traditional Coptic style altar with a screen, and the room housing the relics of various saints including Saint barbara.
A visit to this church is probably better for one of the believers, but it’s worth a quick look if you’re in Coptic Cairo anyway.
A visit to this church is probably better for one of the believers, but it’s worth a quick look if you’re in Coptic Cairo anyway.
Written November 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jazzumbo
Romania2,190 contributions
Oct 2021
Small church hidden on a narrow street in the old Coptic quarter of Cairo. The maze of tiny streets that is today Cairo's old Coptic quarter was part of the Fortress of Babylon about 2000 years ago. The Church of Saint Barbara dates back from the 4th century AD.
Viewed from the street, the building of St Barbara church has nothing spectacular. It looks just like a random house in the neighborhood. This is because it was built in a time were Christianity was illegal by the Roman low, so the worshippers of the new religion didn't want to attract the attention of the Roman guards and soldiers.
However, this detail proved to be useful some hundred of years later, during Mamluk rule of Cairo, when many Christians churches have been closed or demolished.
Nowadays, the church host the relics of Saint Barbara herself, so it's a target for pilgrims. It has been renovated several times.
Viewed from the street, the building of St Barbara church has nothing spectacular. It looks just like a random house in the neighborhood. This is because it was built in a time were Christianity was illegal by the Roman low, so the worshippers of the new religion didn't want to attract the attention of the Roman guards and soldiers.
However, this detail proved to be useful some hundred of years later, during Mamluk rule of Cairo, when many Christians churches have been closed or demolished.
Nowadays, the church host the relics of Saint Barbara herself, so it's a target for pilgrims. It has been renovated several times.
Written November 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redeco
Warren, MA9,326 contributions
St. Barbara Church was built in the 11th century and is one of the earliest, largest, and most beautifully decorated churches in Egypt. The entrance to the Church of St. Barbara is even lower than the street level of the Old City. You have to take stairs down to the level of the main floor of the church. This church features a domed apse with seven steps decorated in bands of black, white and red marble. A carved wooden screen with ivory inlay separates the main church from the sanctuary behind.
To the left is a Treasury room with icons dating to around 1750 and if you look carefully, you will see to the right of this the inner sanctuary. You have to remove your shoes to enter the Treasury area. To the left of the treasury is another sanctuary where we saw a service being held. The chant was quite good to hear and the incense set a tone of mysticism and intrigue.
Saint Barbara was an early Christian martyr who was killed by her father for trying to convert him to Christianity. No photographs are allowed inside any of the churches of Coptic Cairo.
To the left is a Treasury room with icons dating to around 1750 and if you look carefully, you will see to the right of this the inner sanctuary. You have to remove your shoes to enter the Treasury area. To the left of the treasury is another sanctuary where we saw a service being held. The chant was quite good to hear and the incense set a tone of mysticism and intrigue.
Saint Barbara was an early Christian martyr who was killed by her father for trying to convert him to Christianity. No photographs are allowed inside any of the churches of Coptic Cairo.
Written May 5, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laczkozsu
Debrecen, Hungary2,343 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We walked in the streets of Coptic area and found this church, which was built in 7th century. It got a high wooden roof in Fatimid times. St. Barbara was the daughter of a pagan father in 3rd century. Her cruel father turned her in to the authorities, who killed her. The remains of the martyr can be found in the sanctuary. It’s worth a visit.
Written April 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fozjon
Jaipur, India1,895 contributions
Mar 2023
it was lovely to visit. My Mom's name was Barbara, it was her birthday when we visited, so this seemed to be very appropriate. Mom passed away 2 1/2 years ago.
Written March 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sirpa_13
25 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
The Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Barbara is one of the oldest sitesin Coptic Cairo. The church is beautifully decorated and has some very nice icons.
Written October 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan S
Jerusalem, Israel166 contributions
Feb 2018 • Business
Next to the Ben Ezra Synagogue, this site is great to experience Fustat in the early establishment of Cairo. Highly recommend it, walls and iconostasis in excellent repair. Recommend seeing all of the Coptic sites within the Fortress of Babylon Coptic city.
Written February 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,840 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
From the outside the building, east of the Babylon ruins, does not look like a church. It is, as if hidden behind a unassuming facade. Once you enter a door and go down a few stairs you will enter a great hall. The basilica is of classical design with a long nave and several aisles at its sides. Columns and arches above them support a high wooden roof.
The story of Barbara who is believed to have lived in the 3rd century is tragic. She was locked up in a tower by a father obsessed with controlling her. She managed to convert to Christianity in one way or another and escape. After betrayel she was caught and tortured, but she refused to forsake her faith. Miraculously every night her wounds would heal. Eventually she was beheaded. Her father carried out the verdict. He was struck be lightning after he carried out the act.
The story of Barbara who is believed to have lived in the 3rd century is tragic. She was locked up in a tower by a father obsessed with controlling her. She managed to convert to Christianity in one way or another and escape. After betrayel she was caught and tortured, but she refused to forsake her faith. Miraculously every night her wounds would heal. Eventually she was beheaded. Her father carried out the verdict. He was struck be lightning after he carried out the act.
Written December 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1963consultant
Beirut, Lebanon114 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
This isn't commonly visited in old coptic cairo, and many tours skip it. It's worth admiring its architecture and the story of Saint Barbara....It was a great surprise to a friend that holds the same name and never met her patron Saint.
Written August 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virgil S
Barcelona, Spain673 contributions
Feb 2016
The Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Barbara (or Sitt Barbara) is one of the many famous Coptic Orthodox parishes that can be found in the district of Coptic Cairo. The building is located on the eastern part of the Babylon Fortress and is one of the oldest buildings in Cairo, dating back to the 5th or 6th century AD.
Written February 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
I would like to know about the opening times of the church....
Thank you!
Written January 9, 2017
the whole church complex is open till 5 pm, but you'd better arrive earlier to enjoy the walk.
Written January 9, 2017
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing