Being the oldest part in the present city Cairo is the reason behind calling it "old Cairo". The place is famous for the "Roman fortress" and some of the oldest Coptic churches in Egypt and the world. Such as the "Hanging church" and the "Abu Serga church". You could see as well the  oldest "Jewish synagogue" in Egypt (Ibn Ezra). Having an old mosque as well in the vicinity makes the area a religious assembly.

Hanging church _ Old Cairo _ 4th century

The original church building was constructed in the 4th c. The name was given to church since it is built on top of 2 of the Roman fortress towers. From certain places in the church's floor you could see how the church is 17m high from the original ground level of the fortress.

A later name was given to the church according to a miracle by St. marry in the church in the 10th resulted the removal of the near by mountain............listen to the full story there.

the church has been under restoration for 3 years and about to finish (1998-2001).

Entrance of the "Abu Serga church" shows how low was the level of the ground compared to it today. walking the lanes to the church's floor level you would have gone down 2 levels below the street level today.

Abu Serga is famous as the "Holy family" church since they stayed in it for a week in a crypt that the church is built on. beautiful 13th c colored frescos can be still seen clear in the church.- 6th century - old Cairo.

Entrance of the crypt of the Holey of the church of Abu Serga. The crypt is 3 levels under the street and Nile level today. The church down there could be truly is the oldest in the world as hosted Jesus when he was maximum 3month old.

Inside the crypt of the Holy  family - Abu Serga church.

This is a unique picture as no one could go down now. June the 1st of every year mass is held down in the crypt church since the date commemorates the arrival of the holy family to the place.