Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Abbassia District, Cairo, Egypt
Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral is a major religious complex in the Abbassia District that houses seven separate churches within its grounds. Inside, multiple prayer halls can hold up to 5,000 worshippers across different areas of the building.
The site was granted to the Coptic Church in the 10th century, replacing earlier palace grounds in the area. The present cathedral was built later, combining traditional construction methods with modern architectural approaches.
The cathedral is named after Saint Mark the Evangelist, whose remains are honored within the shrine at its center. Visitors notice how traditional Coptic design elements appear throughout the building, reflecting the spiritual heritage of the community.
The complex has multiple entrances that lead to different prayer halls throughout the grounds. Visitors should plan time to walk between the various areas, as the churches and halls are spread across the site.
The remains of Saint Mark were brought back from Venice in 1968 and placed in a specially designed shrine within the cathedral. This return transformed the site into a major pilgrimage destination for Coptic Christians from around the world.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
