Old Cairo Misr el-Oadima

At the southeast corner of the citadel, on the east tower of the south gate, is the Metropolitan Church of Sitt Miriam (St Mary), known as El-Moallaqa, the "Hanging Church", which was founded in the fourth century and rebuilt in the ninth century and on a number of later occasions. It was originally much larger, probably built over both gatetowers. The narthex leads into the nave (divided into four aisles, but originally with at least five), with the pulpit. There are three chapels shut off by old carved screens; the central one (the heikal or sanctuary) is dedicated to Christ, the one on the north to St George, the one on the south to John the Baptist.

Attached to El-Moallaqa is the Coptic Museum, founded in 1910 by Morkos Pasha Simaika, the largest and finest collection of Coptic material. The museum was erected at the beginning of the 20th century, using architectural elements from old Coptic buildings, and later extended. In addition to works of religious art, it contains Coptic arts and crafts and everyday objects from the third to the 18th century, particularly items of the early medieval period.This museum contains the largest collection of Coptic textiles "wool, linen and silk." It was the most important industry during the early Christian period in Egypt.

Northeast of the Coptic Museum is the Mosque of Amr, believed to be the oldest in Cairo; the present rather dilapidated building, however, dates mainly from the 18th century. On this site Amr ibn el-As, Caliph Omar's General, built the first mosque in Fustat in the year 642; it was soon considerably enlarged, but was destroyed during the Crusades.

Farther to the northwest of the Mosque of Amr is the picturesque old Coptic Monastery of Abu Seifein.

Within the area of the Roman citadel are a number of other old Coptic churches. A few houses away from Abu Sarga is the Church of Sitt Barbara, founded in the fifth century and rebuilt in the 10th-11th centuries.

To the north of the Church of St Barbara is the church of Mari Girgis (St George), founded in the seventh century, with a richly decorated nave.

To the north of the Church of St Barbara is the Church of the Virgin, founded in the ninth century and rebuilt in the 18th.

In the Synagogue (Keniset Eliahu; until the eighth century a Christian church), the largest in Egypt, Elijah is said to have appeared and Moses to have prayed.