The Cave Church image

The Cave Church

Church

👍👍 A unique concept of a church built into a cave. It's kind of all out in the open. It can probably seat thousands. This is a Christian church and there are large carvings in the face of the mountain depicting the life of Jesus. I liked the area, being away from the city and it's own special environme... People often mention church, visit, garbage, cave, people, amazing, Zabbaleen, city, worth, uber,


Address

27JG+3PW، البيدق, Ghayt Al Adah, Abdeen, Cairo Governorate 4421240, Egypt

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (131 reviews)

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Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (23) visit (13) garbage (10) cave (9) people (9) amazing (9) Zabbaleen (8) city (7) worth (7) uber (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 marcus w. 2 years ago on Google
    A unique concept of a church built into a cave. It's kind of all out in the open. It can probably seat thousands. This is a Christian church and there are large carvings in the face of the mountain depicting the life of Jesus. I liked the area, being away from the city and it's own special environment and area. Lots if nature around. Usually a guide will offer the tour. It's not expensive and it gives you a greater understanding of the place. Perhaps not a must if you're time in Cairo is limited. Yet worth your time.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Abhi S. 5 months ago on Google • 263 reviews
    What a incredible feeling exploring this location. Jaw dropping moment when you are actually inside . Please don’t be discouraged with the route to the church. It passes thru a lot of recycling trash and garbage dumps. Very smelly but you wont feel the stink when on top. Must visit area when in cairo. Cheap uber ride to the church also they can wait for you for the return no easy getting a ride back to downtown.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christian D. 1 year ago on Google
    For people grown up in Europe, States, Canada, .., the impressions you get might reorder your mind and the habbits you're used to. The Zabbaleen people (garbage collectors) go back centuries where coptic where allowed to breed their pigs by leftover food in an Islamic area. Nowadays the Zabbaleen people collect garbage all over Cairo, efficiently sort it by hand, and therefore recycle up to 80 %. The shreddered and neatly packed material is sold back to industry, where it is cleaned up and reused. That's the way the Zabbaleen walk their daily life as it is given. By the 1980s the Zabbaleen have established the world's largest cave church by digging into the hill, upwards the district. The church St. Simon has around 20.000 handmade seats of stone and the Zabbaleen do not take any touristic fee, it is open for any one. Next to it is St. Marcus church which is inside a cave, where might be able to listen to a various number of birds breeding and, therewidth, sharing the place with the Zabbaleen. If needed, they also established clean rest rooms with tap water outside, common to western standards. If you decide to go there, stop at the main entrance at the south by taxi or uber. Some drivers even won't drive you indside, due to road quailty. However, wait a moment, there are Tuk Tuks (three wheeled motorbike taxis) comeing out and taking anyone in. Name St. Simon, get in, that's it. There is no need to deal a price, the Zabbaleen are very friendly, they take you up, and if you pass around 20 Egyptian pound, you will receive a smile. Getting back is bit tougher, while you might have to walk inside the district, looking for a free Tuk Tuk passing by. You can easly navigate by mobile and there is only a single crossing, where you have to turn left, until several Tuk Tuks show up that you can signal with the hand for a ride out the district. You do not have to fear anything, the Zabbaleen are that friendly and help you at anytime. :-)
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 mike b. 3 years ago on Google
    This location is labelled incorrectly and an edit has been suggested. In the meantime, please note the Cave Church is in Mokattam area!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 fichy l. 3 months ago on Google • 232 reviews New
    no tickets needed. only show your ID to the security, you can pass. this place is amazing. need some effort to reach the place. there are WC, restaurant, and a place for sitting
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Colleen M. 1 year ago on Google • 83 reviews
    Completely unexpected. The size and seating capacity alone is amazing. The carvings and statues tell the story of Jesus’ life. Not a must see but if you have a few hours to kill it may be worth the visit. Just beware the drive there is a bit unnerving.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Abdullah S. 3 months ago on Google • 345 reviews New
    A historical place with exceptional location, but unfortunately it seems nobody is taking enough care of it. Horrible smell in many place especially the entrance, not a good impression to give to foreigners!. If you are coming here first go to the citadel and then use google maps (2-5 minutes from there), otherwise google maps will take you through the worst of roads!

  • 5/5 John K. 7 months ago on Google • 314 reviews
    What an amazing story to this village. This place had a very big impact on my heart. Powerful testimonies of people that followed Christ.

  • 4/5 Najihah 3 years ago on Google
    Very unique with natural Architecture. subhanAllah ✨ Jesus is a beloved prophet in Islam ❤️ This Cave Church located in Mukattam. Near to Darrasah. The location is surrounded by garbage collection as it is place for garbage collector. Which is really important for us all. Tqvm
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 P J. 10 months ago on Google • 197 reviews
    What a place! After you have booked and been to the Pyramids and the Sphinx, you think you have covered it all in Cairo. Believe me.. you haven't. We booked this tour after I read about it in an article. It is magnificent, worth a visit. You can enjoy the place within an hour. Before visiting this, the tour guide also took us through the garbage city. I have never seen houses full of plastic bags, cartons, bottles etc. Keeping the recycle industry going.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marivalan D. 1 year ago on Google • 36 reviews
    Must visit!!! I loved it!! People are friendly and helpful! It is very clean inside and the cave church is just amazing! Absolutely marvelous and breathtaking! To come to it you drive through the Garbage City (which is also worth seeing) and then you arrive at this rare marvel of peace and tranquillity. Only huddled is to reach the chruch (if you are going to use UBER or any public transportation). Quite a challenge to get there through a very rough neighborhood not even taxi or uber want to go to the top have to take a auto rickshaw (tuk tuk) to cross to reach the top but once you get there be prepared to see something really unique.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Alessandro Moroni (. 9 months ago on Google
    nice, but if you plan on going there with Uber make sure to book a round-trip, you're not gonna find another one from there
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M6SK6 2 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Amazing place, I recommend everyone to visit it 👌 along the way you have to walk through the city of garbage, there are very nice and friendly people. (Original) Úžasné místo, doporučuji všem jej navštívit 👌 po cestě se musí projít městem odpadků, jsou tam velmi milí a přátelští lidé.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Stacy T. 2 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Closed on holidays and weekends. Closed for celebration and weekend (Original) Закрыта на праздники и выходные. Closed for celebration and weekend
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 brittany b. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing hidden gem. Literally had to drive a mile through garbage to see the church but the experience was worth it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Edoardo F. 2 months ago on Google • 99 reviews New
    The cave church is very very particular and beautiful! To arrive at the quartier is not too much safe to do alone, you have to be careful during the journey!

  • 5/5 TravelMusicMemories 1 year ago on Google
    How can I talk about this place without talking about the way getting there? Firstly, my uber got lost getting there. I think if they take one “wrong” turn, then they’ll end up in a maze. If possible and if you’re brave, it’s best to get one of those 3-wheel dealies to get you there. Going back, I had 2 ubers cancel, so I decided to walk back to the main road. And I actually recommend this to you (if you don’t already have a ride). It only takes about 10-15 mins to walk back to that main road. Now, the church itself is fantastic. There’re some modern additions here and there, but doesn’t take away from the beauty. Nice place to sit and contemplate for a bit. Free to get in. Restrooms onsite. I think there’s a restaurant up there, too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Brian M. 1 year ago on Google
    The drive through Garbage City is the most interesting part, the church itself is a waste of time if you're looking for history. The church is modern and not historical at all (other than the myth / story about moving a mountain). It is simply Cairo's version of the mega churches we have in the States (read - more interested in seeming hip and cool to the younger generations than in being a church). It might be fun if you're into zip lining. As a fellow Christian, I can't help but wonder if the people of Garbage City wouldn't be better stewards of the money being spent on this ridiculous place in the middle of their neighborhood.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael M. 1 year ago on Google
    This is an amazing church and a MUST visit while in Cairo. Stunning scenery. Massive in size, yet very peaceful. This is NOT easy to reach and highly recommend a car service and having them wait (very highly recommend).
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Clebia S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A church built inside a cave by simple people, who survive on Cairo's garbage collection. The route is not very good but the church is very beautiful and is embedded in the rock and they also do zip lines. (Original) Uma igreja construída dentro de uma caverna por pessoas simples, que sobrevivem da coleta de lixo do Cairo. O percurso não é muito bom mas a igreja é muito bonita e está encravada na rocha e fazem tirolesa também.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Diyar W. 10 months ago on Google • 20 reviews
    One of the most interesting places to visit as on your way to the church you will have to go through the garbage city. The inhabitants of the city are friendly and warm people. However the city stinks and there are rotten animals everywhere and full of bugs.

  • 3/5 Jen M. 1 year ago on Google
    So, okay. Sure, it’s cool. But absolutely go with a guide. This cave church is in one of the most poverty stricken areas of Cairo. The drive there was nerve-racking, to the point that our driver said if he had known we wanted to go there he probably would not have accepted us as tourists. Especially if you’re a woman, do not go alone.

  • 4/5 Bec M. 1 year ago on Google
    Wow 😮, this place worth time to visit, it has intriguing stories and amazing scenery and masterpiece of art 🎨 about spiritual aka Christianity

  • 5/5 Eric P. 1 year ago on Google
    Definitely worth checking out if you're already in the area to see the Church of Saint Karas in Mansheyet Nasser! As others have mentioned, probably best to have a guide and driver to get here. 9/10

  • 5/5 Danielli 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing place to visit! We took a Indriver to reach there, but on the way back both indriver and Uber drivers didn’t accept the ride. We had to take a tuktuk until the main road. Be prepared if your going by yourself

  • 4/5 紅寶嚕 1 year ago on Google
    As many people commented. Uber refused to drive through the small dirty alleys, we got a Tuk tuk to get to this place. It’s a nice visit for us.

  • 4/5 Haddy T. 2 years ago on Google
    Fascinating place! If it wasn’t for the road leading to the place, I would rate it 5 stars

  • 5/5 Seàn 1 year ago on Google
    Wonderful Church, went there on a field trip and although due to unfortunate circumstances the neighbourhood (mostly christians!) surrounding the church is not exactly clean or has good infrastructure due to government negligence but overall it was a wonderful experience and I absolutely loved the church itself, built near a cave and the story and capacity is just beyond amazing. Would love to visit again.

  • 5/5 James U C. 1 year ago on Google
    It's amazing that this majestic church was built inside a cave. Truly enormous and breathtaking. It's something that you have to see to believe.

  • 3/5 Rekan M. 2 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I want to visit her (Original) أريد زيارتها

  • 5/5 Hisham K. 6 months ago on Google
    The place looks amazing itself and the view is fantastic, it's a good place to know more about Christianity

  • 5/5 Ricky A. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing! 🙌🏼

  • 5/5 Chong C W. 1 month ago on Google • 11 reviews New
    Good place to visit but it's not easy to go as most uber driver will not fetch you in. We met a good uber driver who brought us near to the "rubbish city" and helped us to catch a tuktuk to bring us up to the church. After visiting, just walk down until you found a tuktuk and mention "manshit naser" then you will be brought back to the main street to catch an uber.


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