Coptic Museum Cairo

Inside Cairo 's Christian heart

Museum buffs are spoilt for choice in Cairo. One not to miss is the Coptic Museum, sandwiched between the Hanging Church and the Roman fortress in Cairo 's Islamic quarter. The museum has drawn together over 15,000 artefacts from all over Egypt(including the desert monasteries) and follows the evolution of Coptic art from Greco-Roman times into the Islamic era. Ancient manuscripts, sculpted ivory, frescoes, children's toys and bronzes are beautifully housed under carved beams and a stained glass dome.

Visiting the museum also provides insight into the Coptic faith. You'll notice Egyptians with crosses tattooed on their hands; all of whom will inevitably have very Christian forenames. They are part of the ten per cent of the country who are orthodox Copts. They have their own pope(chosen from the monks at Wadi Natrun) and a bible that predates the Latin one by a century(doctrines from which are represented in the Museum's painted icons). For a nose around the museum and a glimpse of this exclusively Egyptian branch of Christianity this is the place to head for.

www.copticmuseum.gov.eg

Back to reviews