Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo

The Fortress of Babylon dates from early Roman times, when a Roman legion resided in this strategic area on the apex of the Nile Delta. Apparently it was enlarged and fortified by the Emperors Trajan (98-117 A.D.) and Arcadius (395-408). Although the Fortress was sadly ruined at the turn of this century, it is considered to be one of the best preserved military structures of Roman times. Most of the walls are built of three regular layers of red bricks alternating with five stone layers, bound together with a mortar of sand, lime, pebbles and charcoal. The walls were constructed on an irregular five sided layout with numerous semi-circular bastions.

Who built the Fortress and when?

    The Fortress is originally built by the Persians in the 6th century B.C but it was located nearer to the cliff of the Nile River back then. After the Roman procession of Egypt, the Romans were using the old Fortress for a while; however, after a short period of time, it was enlarged and fortified by the Emperors Trajan (98-117 A.D.) and Arcadius (395-408) to make use of its ideal location for water storage and distribution. Near the Fortress, there was a pharaonic canal connecting the River with the Red Sea and it was the link between Lower and Middle Egypt. 

    The Romans were highly keen on its interests so Emperor Trajan ordered to move the Fortress near to the Nile River to make the best out of it in water delivery and also making money. He changed the shipping route from Alexandria to be in the Fortress of Babylon, making it a commercial cornerstone for Egypt. Therefore, the river craft that will pass through the canal up and down the Nile River will have to pay tolls to the fortress. Of course, the course of the Nile has changed now; it has moved around 400 meters to the north of the fortress. Although Babylon was a great addition to Cairo, Alexandria has been the capital till the Islamic conquest of Egypt. With the great development over time, Cairo becomes the seat of the government and for a while Babylon name was used by the Europeans to refer to it. 

How do you get there?

    The Fortress of Babylon is in the center of Cairo, in the district of Old Cairo, so you can easily get there from Downtown; it’s around 30 minutes. If you wish to come and visit from Luxor, Aswan or Hurghada, it is only a one-hour flight to Cairo. 

How did the Fortress get its name?

    Although the Fortress was sadly ruined at the turn of this century, it is considered to be one of the best preserved military structures of Roman times. Historians have different opinions regarding the name of the fortress. Some say that it is taken from the ancient Egyptian name Perhapinon which means the House of the Nile of On, the previous name for Roda Island. Others believe that it has taken the name of Babylon from the Mesopotamian city of Babylon itself where Sesostris used to bring people from there keeping them as prisoners in this fortress.

The Construction of the Fortress:

    Most of the walls are built of three regular layers of red bricks alternating with five stone layers, bound together with a mortar of sand, lime, pebbles and charcoal according to the Roman traditions. The walls were constructed on an irregular five sided layout with numerous semi-circular bastions. The western side facing the Nile had no bastions but featured a drawbridge with two massive circular towers of about 33 meters in diameter. It was very similar in structure to the other Roman fortress found in Europe and North Africa. This construction was strong enough to resist the Arab Conquest of Egypt in 640s when it took them 7 months to be able to conquer the fortified building and surrender under Amr Ibn Al-As’ leadership. 

    In the 19th century, we lost most of the structure of the Roman fortress; however, its two towers were rescued. Now, the gateway leading to the Coptic Museum stands between these two towers. The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George is built over the north tower which flanked the port and the entrance to the Red Sea channel. The other one can be seen from the street but few meters below the ground level. Another gateway facing south is flanked on both sides by two large projecting semi-circular towers leading into an inner court which can be reached from the garden of the Old Wing of the Coptic Museum. It is above this gateway that the Hanging Church was built and dedicated to Virgin Mary which is considered to be the oldest Coptic Church in the Coptic world.

    We have no information on the churches within the Fortress of Babylon before the Arab conquest of Egypt. But it is known that Cyrus, Bishop of Babylon, Participated at the Council of Ephesus held in 449 A.D., and his cathedral cannot have been the only church in Babylon. Moreover, beautiful pieces of woodwork dating from the churches of Saint Sergius, Saint Barbara and the Hanging Church; these are now on display in the Coptic Museum. On the other hand, it seems incongruous that these churches existed inside a fully operational Roman and Byzantine military fortress; one of them, the Hanging Church, was built above one of the gateway to the fortress.

    You can’t miss the chance to visit the other historical unique spots in Coptic Cairo while you are in the district of Old Cairo. You can take a tour inside the Hanging Church. It has stories of more than a hundred Coptic icons such as John the Baptist, St. George and the sacred painting for Virgin Mary that is called “Coptic Mona Lisa.” Moreover, you can add a visit to St. Sergius and St. Bacchus Church (Abu Serga Church). It is believed that it have been built where the holy family rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. You can also see the Coptic Museum which holds the largest collection of Coptic Christian artwork and artifacts in the world and it records the Coptic history from the arrival of Christianity in Egypt up through the Ottoman era, displaying a mixture of artwork influenced by Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman traditions.