Church of Saint Simon in Cairo, Cave church in Mokattam Mountain, Egypt.
The Church of Saint Simon is a sanctuary carved into limestone rock, extending across multiple levels of Mokattam Mountain with a vast interior containing numerous chambers. The hollowed space includes several altar areas and prayer rooms integrated into the natural rock structure.
The church opened in 1975 after a community took root in the area, having migrated from southern Egypt during the 1940s. This settlement developed organically from the need to create space for religious gatherings.
The carved religious artworks on the walls tell biblical stories and depict the lives of saints through traditional craftsmanship. These artistic representations are woven into the daily prayer life of the community, teaching spiritual lessons through visual narratives.
Access is via stairs and pathways leading up the mountain, with visitors encountering different levels and passages throughout the space. The best time to visit is early in the day when fewer people are present and light penetrates better into the inner chambers.
The church emerged in a district where a local population developed and, over decades, established a waste-sorting system that supports the city's waste management. This community uses the sanctuary as a central gathering place for worship and social connection.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
