Cairo Cave Church | A Holy Site Hidden in the Slums
| A holy site hidden in the slums. If I had to choose the most impressive attraction in Cairo, the Cave Church and Garbage City would probably rank before the pyramids.
The pyramids are a must-see, but they are too much of a tourist attraction. The well-developed tour design and the most concentrated group of scammers make me feel that the pyramids are more like a great but standard check-in point. I came, I saw, and that's it. Garbage City and the Cave Church, on the other hand, are more like getting close to the lives of the locals, away from the tourists. Compared to the standard process of attractions, you can see a different world.
The Cave Church is located on Moqattam Mountain and is one of the most famous attractions in Cairo. If you want to go to the Cave Church, Garbage City is a must-see. The Cave Church was built by the Copts, who are Christians and live in groups here, making a living by collecting and disposing of garbage.
🚗Transportation
📍Take an Uber directly to St. Simon The Tanner Monastery or The Cave Church, and you can go through Garbage City directly to the church entrance.
📍The roads in Garbage City are narrow and crowded, and it is difficult to drive. Some drivers may not want to take the order, and it is even more difficult to get a ride down the mountain. It is recommended to tip more on the ride-hailing app.
📍If you want to experience a city walk in Garbage City, it is recommended to take a cab up and walk down. Walk down the hill to the main road and take a cab.
⛪First Cave Church
📍There are actually three cave churches, and the first cave church is the most well-known one, which is very impressive and can accommodate nearly 20,000 people. The Cave Church is a sight to behold, and standing inside and looking out at the sky, it seems that only God and us are in this space.
⛪Second Cave Church
📍This one is deeper, along the road to the right of the first cave church, you can see the sign in picture 7, and then walk inside for another minute to see it. This church is also quite distinctive, unlike the semi-enclosed first cave church.
⛪Third Cave Church
📍This one is on the way up the mountain, but it is still under construction, so it is not open to visitors.
📷Photography
I went there at 3 pm, and the sunlight on the Cave Church created a golden atmosphere, which was very beautiful. If you are taking pictures with a camera, it is best to bring an ultra-wide-angle lens, and the light ratio is very large, so remember to surround the exposure. If you are taking pictures with a cell phone, just turn on the HDR function.
After visiting the Cave Church, you can also experience the dirtiest and most chaotic Garbage City in Cairo, but remember to pay attention to safety. You can refer to my previous notes for a guide to Garbage City.