Church of Saint Menas

The Church of Saint Menas is a Coptic Orthodox house of worship in Fom El-Khaleeg with stone columns dividing the nave from the side aisles. The interior is defined by a central altar arrangement, while the overall structure gives visitors a sense of early Christian architectural design.

The building dates to the sixth century and was reconstructed after destruction in the eighth century, with portions of the original altar area and outer wall preserved. This rebuilding demonstrates the continuity of religious life across several centuries.

The walls display traditional Coptic biblical imagery, and the southern shrine contains embroidered icons that reflect Orthodox Christian artistic traditions. These religious artworks remain visible as you move through the space and show how the community expresses its faith through visual representation.

The building is accessible to visitors during the week and regularly hosts worship services for the faithful. The best time to explore is outside of service hours, when you can examine the architectural details and religious objects at your own pace.

The relics of Saint Menas were kept here until 1962, when they were moved to the Monastery of Saint Menas in Mariout. Many visitors overlook this transfer, even though it significantly shaped the spiritual history of the site.

Location: Cairo

GPS coordinates: 30.00639,31.23167

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01