Hanging Church, Cairo

A 16-year restoration of the Virgin Mary Church in Cairo, Egypt, was completed in October.

Once the seat of the Coptic Pope, the church, also known as El Muallaqa, or the Hanging Church, because it sits above the gatehouse of the Babylon Fortress, is one of the most important and oldest sites in Coptic Christianity. It houses 110 religious icons, including one of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ and St. John the Baptist that dates back to the eighth century.

The church is located off of Mar Girgis street in the Coptic section of Old Cairo. The complex also includes Ben Ezra synagogue, the oldest synagogue in Cairo.