Coptic Museum, History museum in Old Cairo, Egypt
The Coptic Museum in Cairo holds thousands of objects made from stone, textiles, manuscripts, wood, metal, and religious works. The collections are divided into distinct sections that show how these art forms developed over time.
The museum was founded in 1908 to preserve Coptic culture, beginning with just two small rooms. Over time, the collection grew and became a significant center for Coptic art history.
The museum displays how Coptic artists blended Egyptian imagery with Christian symbols across different media. This fusion appears clearly in paintings, sculptures, and carved wooden pieces throughout the rooms.
The building is fully accessible and has level pathways throughout all rooms. Visitors should plan to come in the morning to view the collections without crowds.
The museum sits within the walls of the ancient Babylon Fortress. The ceilings contain carved wooden elements that come from different historical periods.
Location: Cairo Governorate
Inception: 1908
Founders: Marcus Simaika
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Address: Metro Station Mar Girgis, 3 Sharia Mar Girgis, Old Cairo
Phone: +20227412088
Website: https://egymonuments.gov.eg/ar/museums/the-coptic-museum
GPS coordinates: 30.00592,31.23067
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
Cairo preserves an architectural heritage spanning over fifteen centuries. This collection includes religious buildings, traditional houses, and utilitarian structures that reflect the Fatimid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. Mosques such as Sultan Hassan with its 68-meter minaret stand alongside ancient homes with mashrabiya windows, while the 9th-century Nilometer highlights the river's importance in Egyptian society. The route passes through various historic districts, from El Khalifa with its medieval monuments to Ottoman houses from the 16th and 17th centuries like Bayt Al-Suhaymi or those housing the Gayer-Anderson Museum. Aqsunqur Mosque stands out with its Iznik tiles showcasing floral motifs, a legacy of Ottoman influence. The City of the Dead, a cemetery stretching four kilometers, illustrates the continuity between burial sites and inhabited areas. Green spaces like Al-Azhar Park offer views of a dense city where traditions blend with everyday life.
Cairo is home to millennia of history. The Giza Pyramids, built between 2686 and 2494 BC, stand alongside Fatimid mosques like the Ibn Tulun Mosque from 879, and Mamluk fortifications such as Saladin's Citadel from the 12th century. Religious heritage reflects community diversity: Saint Serge Church dates to the 4th century, while Sainte-Marie Church from the 7th century reuses elements of the Roman fortress of Babylon. The Cairo Museum, opened in 1902, displays over 120,000 archaeological artifacts including Tutankhamun’s burial mask. Khan Al-Khalili market, established in 1382, continues traditional trade along its alleys lined with spice and craft shops. The Gayer Anderson House exemplifies 16th-century Ottoman residential architecture. These sites span Egypt’s history from pharaonic antiquity to the Ottoman period.
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