Remains of a centuries-old fortified complex, now housing several Coptic Orthodox churches.
At a glance
Rating breakdown
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5 ★67%
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4 ★15%
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3 ★9%
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2 ★4%
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1 ★4%
Quick facts
- What is the rating of Fortress of Babylon?
- Fortress of Babylon is rated 4.4 out of 5 based on 91 reviews.
- Where is Fortress of Babylon located?
- 264H+7XF، مار جرجس، كوم غراب، مصر القديمة، محافظة القاهرة،،, Old Cairo, Egypt
It's the oldest Roman fortress in old Cairo. You can see it from the hanging church or the Coptic museum.
Impressive construction, near the metro station Mer Girgis. Nice walk in the evening but also nice to see all the convents, museums and sanctuaries open during the day
I can really say its one of the greatest chrestian treasures not only in Egypt but in the world
The towers of the fort were decorated with illuminated candles at the beginning of each month, allowing visitors to trace the path of the sun as it moved from one tower to the next, earning this fort the nickname Qasr el Shamee, or the candles palace. Within the fortress's perimeter are six Coptic churches, a convent, and the Coptic Museum.
According to historians, the name Babylon originally referred to the capital of a neighboring nation by that name. However, another possibility links the name to the old Pr-Hapi-n-Iwnw (Nile house of Heliopolis), which was the deity's residence in Heliopolis city; Habi was the Nile's god.
According to historians, the name Babylon originally referred to the capital of a neighboring nation by that name. However, another possibility links the name to the old Pr-Hapi-n-Iwnw (Nile house of Heliopolis), which was the deity's residence in Heliopolis city; Habi was the Nile's god.
A must see in Cairo. There are lot of churches and history here.
You can go by metro. Is very easy to access.
There is no need to tickets. It’s free of charge.
You can go by metro. Is very easy to access.
There is no need to tickets. It’s free of charge.
The Babylon Fortress is often called the birthplace of Cairo. It is the oldest part of the city and dates back to the Bronze Age.
The Babylon Fortress gets its name from Babylon in Mesopotamia. It is believed that the area was once ruled by the Mesopotamian King, Nebuchadnezzar. It was later the site where the Roman Emperor Trajan placed his legions to subjugate the people of Egypt. At the time it marked the boundary between Middle and Lower Egypt. Today it is part of Coptic Cairo where the Christian population of the city lives. When the Arabs invaded Egypt, the fortress defended the city for seven months before falling to the army led by General Amr Ibn Al As.
Today the Babylon Fortress has several Coptic structures built into its walls. The towers are 10 meters high and have a diameter of 31 meters. It has a pattern typical of Roman fortresses with five blocks of limestone and three blocks of brick. There are six Coptic churches, a convent and the Coptic Museum within the walls. It is also called the Qasr el Shamee or the Palace of Candles because candles illuminated the towers on the first of every month.
The Babylon Fortress gets its name from Babylon in Mesopotamia. It is believed that the area was once ruled by the Mesopotamian King, Nebuchadnezzar. It was later the site where the Roman Emperor Trajan placed his legions to subjugate the people of Egypt. At the time it marked the boundary between Middle and Lower Egypt. Today it is part of Coptic Cairo where the Christian population of the city lives. When the Arabs invaded Egypt, the fortress defended the city for seven months before falling to the army led by General Amr Ibn Al As.
Today the Babylon Fortress has several Coptic structures built into its walls. The towers are 10 meters high and have a diameter of 31 meters. It has a pattern typical of Roman fortresses with five blocks of limestone and three blocks of brick. There are six Coptic churches, a convent and the Coptic Museum within the walls. It is also called the Qasr el Shamee or the Palace of Candles because candles illuminated the towers on the first of every month.
Islam became the main religion in Egypt in 640AD. The Romans were pushing the Egyptians to worship their Christian God. Arab general 'Amr ibn al-'As led many Romans here to be slaughtered, and the Christians were given the choice to convert, pay a tax to remain Christian, or be killed.
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