The Monastery of Saint Simon was carved into the mountain in 1975, following the relocation of the Zabbaleen community to the area.
The amphitheater-style Cave Church is one of the largest in the Middle East.
The site includes a complex of seven different churches and chapels carved into various parts of the cliff.
The area takes its name from the Mokattam mountain range, which provided the limestone used for many of Cairo's historic Giza pyramids.
The Zabbaleen people who live here operate a large-scale informal recycling system for Cairo's waste.
Mokattam, located in eastern Cairo, is a high-altitude limestone plateau famously housing the Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church. The monastery is carved directly into the mountain cliffs and can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. The site serves as the central hub for the Zabbaleen community, who live in the surrounding Garbage City area. The architecture relies on the natural acoustics and geological formations of the hollowed-out hills. The area remains an active place of worship and social service for the local Coptic Christian population. The plateau offers panoramic views of the entire Cairo metropolitan area due to its elevation. Significant relief sculptures depicting biblical scenes are carved into the cliff faces throughout the complex.
From the upper terraces of the monastery looking down into the main amphitheater cave.
Hire a local driver to wait for you, as the area is remote and difficult for hailing independent transport.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the steep, uneven rocky inclines between the various cave sections.
Check with local guides regarding community events, as parts of the complex may be closed to visitors during specific religious ceremonies.
Attempting to walk through the surrounding residential streets unaccompanied, as the layout is confusing and the environment is highly industrial.
The site typically experiences higher foot traffic on Fridays and Sundays due to local worship services.
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees out of respect for the active religious community; photography is generally permitted but avoid filming worshippers.
