Exploring in Cairo

The Churches & Mosques of Cairo

While in Cairo we spent a day

exploring the Coptic Christian

churches and Islamic Mosques.

We found out the history of

both religions in Egypt and

our guide Rasha could give us

information on the similarities

and the differences between

the two.

There were beautiful

carvings and paintings.

The interior of a Coptic Church.

In Coptic Churches there are

usually 12 pillars representing

the 12 apostles and one of them

is always black, that is the one

for Judas.

This Nunnery was located on

the street leading to the church

that is built over the home of

Joseph, the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

This is where they lived in

Cairo when they made their

flight to Egypt.

We visited beautiful mosques

some said to be too beautiful

to be mosques.  Even in the

heat of midday in Cairo this

courtyard was very comfortable

and breezy as long as you

stayed in the shade.

This mosque had massive chandeliers

that sounded like windchimes when

the wind would hit the glass.

Every mosque has a mihrab

which shows you the direction

to Mecca.  That is the direction

in which you would pray.  You

can see in the carpet how people

will line up in rows for prayer.

Each place we visited

took our breath away

with its beauty.

The kids climbed this tower

while the older people

sat in the shade and waved

to them as they climbed.