5 beautiful churches you have to visit in Coptic Cairo

As Cairo, the "city of a thousand minarets", is famous for its Islamic heritage, its long and rich history of Christianity is often overlooked.

Although not as famous as its Islamic counterpart, Coptic Cairo is the oldest area in Old Cairo, dating back to the period before the Muslim conquest of Egypt established the city as we know it today.

As it was the center of Christianity in Egypt for hundreds of years, the historical area is home to a beautiful collection of churches that have stood the test of time, upheaval and restoration.

One of Egypt's most famous churches, it was built in Basilican design above the southern gate of the Roman Babylon Fortress thus making it suspended.

Although the ground has risen over the years and it is no longer hanging, the church's intricately decorated wooden screen, 15-column pulpit and 110 icons make it as impressive as ever.

The Greek Orthodox Church was built on the northern tower of the Babylon Fortress and is distinguished by its impressive dome and gorgeous interior.

Some of its best features are the beautiful stain-glassed windows and the "wedding hall," which still has traces of the paintings and stucco decorations of the original church before it was restored.

Considered to be Egypt's oldest church, it is believed to have been built in the place where Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus Christ stayed to rest for a few weeks at the end of their journey in Egypt when they were fleeing Herod the Great.

The church's walls are beautifully embellished with spectacular icons depicting various scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

The Basilican church, which is dedicated to Saint Barbara, houses a very rare collection of icons including an ancient icon showing Barbara and the tower where she was locked in by her father. It is also distinguished by its beautiful 10-column marble pulpit.

Dedicated to St. Philopater Mercurius who was known as Abu Sayfayn (the saint with the two swords), the church is the largest in the ancient Babylon district.

It is distinguished by one of the most beautiful pulpits in Cairo, it is intricately decorated with mosaic and supported by 15 marble columns.