The Hanging Church
The Church of the Virgin Mary, known as the Hanging Church
The Hanging Church is located above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress in Coptic Cairo, with its central corridor hanging over a walkway. Early visitors gave the church the nickname "the Staircase Church" due to its access being through twenty-nine steps. Because the land surface has increased since the Roman era, the Roman tower is now mostly buried, reducing the church's height.
Access to the road is through iron gates located under a pointed stone arch. The slim courtyard decorated with contemporary art inspired by biblical stories opens up to a sight of the front of the building from the 1800s, showcasing two bell towers. Another small courtyard can be reached through the entrance and up the steps, which then leads to the outer porch dating back to the eleventh century.
It is believed that the Hanging Church was built when Isaac was patriarch (690-692), although there may have been a church from the 3rd or 4th century. However, the first mention of the church was in the biography of Joseph I (831-849) when the governor of Egypt visited it. During Pope Abraham's tenure (975–978), the church underwent a major reconstruction, with additional renovations taking place later, including a complete refurbishment in 2011. Old historical artifacts that are no longer in use were moved to the Coptic Museum. Ten wooden panels featuring Christian symbols, dating back to 1300 AD and originally part of a church door, are on display at the British Museum.
Coptic historians have conflicting views on the beginnings of the Babylon Fortress, a citadel constructed by the Romans. It is thought to have begun in the 19th century B.C. when Pharaoh Sesostris defeated the Babylonians and enslaved their people in Egypt. The prisoners rebelled, building a fortress around their living quarters, which was later named Babylon. It is believed by some individuals that Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, built the fortress in the latter part of the sixth century B.C.
