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Old Cairo is the oldest part of the capital city of Cairo (Masr el Qadima), combining antiquity with modern times. This is the place where primarily ancient fortifications and places associated with the birth of Christianity are concentrated. Usually, a trip to this part of the city involves visiting the Coptic district. Egyptologists believe that there was an urban settlement here as early as the 6th century BC. In Roman times, a fortress and the city of Babylon was built here. Christians living here began to spread their faith throughout Egypt, and its strength can be seen in over 20 preserved temples erected in a small area. To this day, only five churches that can be visited have survived. Egyptian Christians are called Copts and they make up 10% of the Egyptian population. Their name comes from the Arabic word Qipt. The Arabs referred to it as all the inhabitants of Egypt who were Christians. Their hallmark is a small Coptic cross tattooed on the inside of their wrist. This branch of Christianity is based on the teachings of St. Mark, who wrote his Gospel in AD 40 in Alexandria. The Coptic Church has its own patriarch (it does not recognize the pope), rituals, liturgical and language (Coptic), traditional calendar - linked back to the time of pharaohs. Discover with us the most beautiful Christian monuments that you can visit during your Egypt vacation!