Egypt’s Coptic Museum celebrates its 113th anniversary

The museum was inaugurated in 1910 by Morcos Samika Pasha, who is considered one of the prominent Christian figures in Egypt. Samika was interested in preserving the Coptic heritage.

The construction of the museum began in 1908 at the hands of Morcos Samika Pasha (1944-1864), the first director of an Egyptian museum, and with the support of the Coptic Church represented by Pope Kyrollos V, Patriarch No. 211. The museum was officially opened on March 14, 1910.

The museum is located in Misr Al-Qadmia district (the Complex of Religions), within the walls of the Roman fortress of Babylon, surrounded by a group of the oldest and most important churches in Egypt, most notably the Church of the Virgin Mary, the Hanging Church, and Abu Serga Church.

This is in addition to the oldest synagogue (Ben Ezra), which dates back to the ninth century. A few minutes' walk from the museum is Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque.