Cave Church (Monastery of Saint Simon) Cairo
A colossal Coptic Orthodox church carved into Cairo's Mokattam Mountains, a testament to faith and community resilience.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Cave Church (Monastery of Saint Simon) Cairo
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A colossal Coptic Orthodox church carved into Cairo's Mokattam Mountains, a testament to faith and community resilience.
"This breathtaking monastery, carved into the Mokattam Mountains, is not only a peaceful retreat but also a key part of Egypt’s rich Christian heritage."
🚗 Uber & Transport Tips
Uber drivers may be hesitant. Pre-book or use apps like Careem. Consider agreeing with your driver to wait.
👟 Comfortable Shoes Needed
You'll be walking through 'Garbage City' and exploring the monastery complex.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Grand Cave Sanctuary
Main Church Hall
A colossal Coptic Orthodox church carved directly into the mountain, capable of seating thousands. Its sheer scale is breathtaking.
Intricate Rock Carvings
Church Walls
Walls adorned with detailed biblical scenes and stories, meticulously carved into the stone, telling tales of faith.
The Zabbaleen Community
Manshiyat Naser (Garbage City)
Witness the resilience of Cairo's garbage collectors who built this sanctuary, showcasing impressive recycling efforts.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating Garbage City
Spiritual Significance & Scale
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Uber & Transport Tips
Uber drivers may be hesitant. Pre-book or use apps like Careem. Consider agreeing with your driver to wait. +1
👟 Comfortable Shoes Needed
You'll be walking through 'Garbage City' and exploring the monastery complex.
👃 Be Prepared for Smells
The 'Garbage City' area has a distinct odor due to waste recycling.
🙏 Respectful Attire
Dress modestly out of respect for this active place of worship.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Uber & Transport Tips
Uber drivers may be hesitant. Pre-book or use apps like Careem. Consider agreeing with your driver to wait. +1
👟 Comfortable Shoes Needed
You'll be walking through 'Garbage City' and exploring the monastery complex.
👃 Be Prepared for Smells
The 'Garbage City' area has a distinct odor due to waste recycling.
🙏 Respectful Attire
Dress modestly out of respect for this active place of worship.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Cairo can be hot; carry water, especially when exploring the mountain area.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors are consistently impressed by the sheer scale and unique architecture of the Cave Church, carved into the Mokattam Mountains. The intricate biblical carvings and the spiritual atmosphere are highlights. However, the journey through 'Garbage City' can be challenging due to strong odors and the visual environment, though many find it a fascinating aspect of the experience.
"Visiting the Cave Church is an experience in itself, and I definitely recommend it. Getting there takes you through what’s known as “Garbage City,” and seeing how people live and work there adds a whole new layer to your Cairo experience.
The church is carved into a cave and designed as a massive complex that can participate thousands of people. Seeing such an impressive structure is truly fascinating. There’s also a smaller church nearby, also inside the cave, where you can notice carvings on the walls that were added later.
For transportation, I suggest using the InDrive app and agreeing with the driver to wait for you. It makes things much easier. I personally arranged for the driver to wait for more than an hour and take me back to downtown for around $5–6. This price can be a good reference if someone tries to overcharge you."
Musab Kavas
"The church itself is nice. In a cave. Very nice tour. Taken care of and if you do t mind what I’ll write next then its worth visiting.
the way that leads to is horrible. You go through the garbage city where garbage is everywhere. Ppl literally live with it. I guess it’s a recycling area where actual residents do the job. The entire time the smell is horrible. The air is polluted. Am not sure how healthy it is to pass through that area."
Dee Kam
"The cave church was good for a short stop. However, you can see the renovation that’s be done over time by men. It almost seems that it is being turned into an amusement park with attractions, including a zip line ride. It would have been nice to see the original cave; it would have been more serene and more intimate. Still, knowing that it was where Jesus, Mary, Joseph reportedly hid to get away from king Herod was really something cool."
Steven Riddle
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Getting to the Cave Church (St. Simon Monastery) involves navigating through Manshiyat Naser, known as 'Garbage City.' While some Uber drivers may be reluctant, you can try setting the destination as 'Saint Samaan the Tanner Monastery' on Uber or Careem. +1 Alternatively, you can take an Uber to the edge of Garbage City and then hire a tuk-tuk or arrange for a local guide to take you the rest of the way.
Some travelers opt for guided tours that include this area.
Uber drivers might be hesitant to drive directly into 'Garbage City' due to the challenging environment. It's advisable to check the app's willingness to go or be prepared to arrange alternative transport from the neighborhood's outskirts. +1
While the environment is unique and can be overwhelming, the Zabbaleen community is generally kind and welcoming. Be cautious and aware of your surroundings, and consider going with a guide or a pre-arranged driver.
For your return journey, you can try booking another Uber or Careem. If you arranged for your driver to wait, that's the easiest option. Some visitors have successfully used apps like InDrive and negotiated a waiting fee. [^Review]
Yes, it's about a 1.5km walk from the entrance of the neighborhood to the monastery. If you're comfortable with a bit of a trek and the environment, this is an option.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the Monastery of Saint Simon (Cave Church) is generally free. It is an active place of worship, and donations are appreciated but not mandatory.
The Cave Church is typically open daily from morning until late afternoon or early evening. It's best to check for any specific holiday hours or service times.
No, there is no official entrance fee. The monastery is a functioning church, and visitors are welcome to explore its grounds.
You can visit during religious services, but it's important to be respectful of worshippers. Some services might offer a unique spiritual experience.
Visitors are expected to dress modestly out of respect for the religious nature of the site. Avoid overly revealing clothing.
📸 📸 Photography & Experience
Photography is generally allowed inside the Cave Church, but it's always good practice to be mindful of ongoing services and worshippers. Avoid using flash if it might be disruptive.
Manshiyat Naser, or 'Garbage City,' is where Cairo's waste is collected and sorted by the Zabbaleen community. It's a unique, albeit pungent, environment that highlights the community's resilience and impressive recycling rates.
Its unique architecture, carved directly into the Mokattam Mountains, its capacity for over 20,000 worshippers, and the intricate biblical carvings make it a remarkable spiritual and architectural marvel.
Yes, families can visit. The sheer size and unique nature of the church can be fascinating for children. However, the 'Garbage City' environment might be challenging for very young children due to smells and sights.
It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes as you'll be doing a lot of walking. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, out of respect for the religious site.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🙏 Spiritual Seekers
Witnessing the scale of the sanctuary and the intricate biblical carvings can be a powerful reminder of faith and resilience. The Coptic Orthodox heritage adds another layer of historical and religious significance to your visit. 📸 Photographers & Culture Enthusiasts
The contrast between the spiritual sanctuary and the industrious community that built it makes for compelling cultural documentation. +1 Remember to be respectful when photographing people and during services. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Zabbaleen: Builders of the Cave Church
+1 They transformed their challenging environment into a spiritual hub, carving this massive church directly into the Mokattam Mountains. Their story is one of resilience, community, and turning adversity into a place of profound worship. +1Visiting the Zabbaleen neighborhood, Manshiyat Naser, is an integral part of the Cave Church experience. While the area is known as 'Garbage City' and can be pungent, it offers a unique glimpse into a vital part of Cairo's infrastructure and the lives of its dedicated residents.
Many travelers find the community's ability to create such a magnificent sanctuary amidst their daily work incredibly inspiring. +1The church itself is a marvel of their labor, featuring intricate biblical carvings and a vast interior that can accommodate over 20,000 people. It stands as a symbol of their faith and a significant landmark within Egypt's Coptic Christian heritage.
Navigating to the Cave Church: A Traveler's Guide
From the edge of 'Garbage City,' you might need to arrange a local tuk-tuk or walk the remaining distance (approximately 1.5 km).
When planning your visit, consider that the journey through 'Garbage City' is part of the experience. While it can be visually and olfactorily challenging, it provides context for the Zabbaleen community's efforts in building the church.
Allow ample time for travel and exploration, as the journey itself can be an adventure. The Spiritual and Architectural Marvel
+1 The architecture is a testament to human ingenuity and faith, with the natural rock formations seamlessly integrated into the design of the sanctuary. Beyond its size, the church is renowned for its detailed biblical carvings that adorn its walls. These intricate artworks depict stories from the Bible, offering a visual narrative of Christian scripture.
The atmosphere within the church is often described as peaceful and spiritual, providing a serene escape from the bustling city of Cairo. Many visitors feel a profound sense of devotion and history simply by being present in this sacred space. While the church is a place of worship, it also holds historical significance, with some traditions suggesting it's built on a site where the Holy Family may have rested. [^Review] The combination of its unique location, monumental scale, artistic detail, and spiritual ambiance makes the Cave Church a truly unforgettable destination.
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