Fort of Babylon
Fort of Babylon
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First built by the Persians in the sixth century B.C., this fortress contains several Christian churches built into or on its walls including the El-Muallaqa (the Hanging Church) and the Greek Church of St. George.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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62 reviews
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macedonboy
Glasgow, UK185,662 contributions
Oct 2019
The Fort of Babylon is a Fortress that was once part of the fortifications of Roman Cairo. What remains is largely ruins, although you can still see the general shape of the fort. The fort is just outside Mar Girgis metro station and within the grounds of the Coptic Museum. Worth a quick a look if visiting Coptic Cairo.
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.
Adrian O
Brisbane, Australia343 contributions
Feb 2018
This fortress is in an area called Old Cairo. Originally built by King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon in the second half of the sixth century B.C., the fort was built for strategic purposes and upgraded by various rulers over the centuries. It was enlarged and fortified by the Emperor Trajan (98-117 A.D.). Considered by some to be one of the best-preserved military forts, sadly it was destroyed only in recent times. The best of Roman architecture is on display here. It’s walls and circular towers are made from three layers of red bricks alternating with five layers of stone. The visual effect is stunning and well worth a look.
The Coptic Museum, The Church of Saint George and Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church (The Hanging Church) are all nearby and built on the remains of the fortress complex. There is no charge to visit the Fort of Babylon as much of it is closed to the public. What you see is just a taste of Roman military architecture and a visual reminder of Roman power on display.
The Coptic Museum, The Church of Saint George and Saint Virgin Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church (The Hanging Church) are all nearby and built on the remains of the fortress complex. There is no charge to visit the Fort of Babylon as much of it is closed to the public. What you see is just a taste of Roman military architecture and a visual reminder of Roman power on display.
Written March 30, 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.
TheShoppelifter
Palawan Island, Philippines1,036 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
The Babylon Fortress is an ancient castle just beside the Mar Girgis Metro Station and also beside the entrance of the Coptic Museum. The fortress is the city's oldest original structure and where some of the oldest coptic churches were built around its walls.
According to history, Babylon is the name of the capital of Egypt's neighboring country -- I was thinkin' bout Babylon in Iraq, I may be wrong, as the first fort was built by the Persians (present day Iran). I dunno really. Due to water difficulty, the fort was relocated byt the then roman emperor Trajan at its present location which used to be only beside the Nile river. It serves as the boundary between the lower and middle Egypt
The fortress is still impressive today, though at first sight I thought it was just an ordinary abandoned building of sort, until I've found out the story, and like in a film, the structure slowly developed into full colour on me.
Go there during the early afternoon until just before the sun set, the whole area has this rustic feeling -- sumthin' bout the sun streaks on the old structures...really. You can easily include it with all the sights around Coptic Cairo if you decide to come there before noon.
Take the Metro Line that goes to Helwan and get off at Mar Girgis Station, the fort is the first sight in front of you.
According to history, Babylon is the name of the capital of Egypt's neighboring country -- I was thinkin' bout Babylon in Iraq, I may be wrong, as the first fort was built by the Persians (present day Iran). I dunno really. Due to water difficulty, the fort was relocated byt the then roman emperor Trajan at its present location which used to be only beside the Nile river. It serves as the boundary between the lower and middle Egypt
The fortress is still impressive today, though at first sight I thought it was just an ordinary abandoned building of sort, until I've found out the story, and like in a film, the structure slowly developed into full colour on me.
Go there during the early afternoon until just before the sun set, the whole area has this rustic feeling -- sumthin' bout the sun streaks on the old structures...really. You can easily include it with all the sights around Coptic Cairo if you decide to come there before noon.
Take the Metro Line that goes to Helwan and get off at Mar Girgis Station, the fort is the first sight in front of you.
Written December 10, 2011
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.
Viking_in_Oz
Melbourne, Australia141 contributions
Oct 2011 • Couples
One tower is outside, and is a collection of walls in a deep, circular pit. The other tower is under the Hanging Church.
Written January 5, 2012
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.
Ogi0
Sofia, Bulgaria22,768 contributions
May 2023
Little remains of the fort and it appears to have been reconstructed. There are many Coptic churches in the surrounding area.
Written May 10, 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.
Gusman68
Sawbridgeworth, UK131 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The 12 towers of Babylon fortress have been put to a number of uses, most notably the Hanging church. You can get a real feel for the towers strength and why they are still here and strong as ever.
Written April 20, 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.
J. Meng H
955 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
It's just directly opposite the metro station exit. This will be the 1st building you can across when you walk out from metro station.
It's a Christian area
Nice place to visit if you interested.
I don't know whether there's an entrance into this fort or not but I didn't find one that time.
You can go to Coptic museum beside it by paying 60le
It's a Christian area
Nice place to visit if you interested.
I don't know whether there's an entrance into this fort or not but I didn't find one that time.
You can go to Coptic museum beside it by paying 60le
Written September 3, 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.
Mina G
Harlow, UK8 contributions
Ancient historical building, near the metro and near to many other sight-seeings.
Written April 14, 2012
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.
Sharm Club
Cairo, Egypt94 contributions
Very nice ruins, can come close to it and see all in details, situated near the Coptic museum in Old Cairo worth seeing.
Written March 25, 2012
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.
ricshanshibly1986
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia2,130 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Babylon fortress located inside Coptic cairo area. This fortress built back in Roman era. Hanging church built top of fortress.
Written March 20, 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.
Are there toilets at the pyramids?
Written February 24, 2020
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