Coptic Museum

The Coptic Museum houses the world’s largest collection of Egyptian Christian objects. This ideal spot allowed visitors to see the churches around the area and familiarise themselves with Coptic architecture, as well as to learn about Coptic art during their visit to the museum. The Coptic Museum was inaugurated on 14 March 1910 after examples of Coptic art had been collected from across the country. Many of these objects had been purchased, but many others were generously gifted by churches, monasteries, and wealthy Copts, who were all excited by the idea of a Coptic Museum. In 1931, the idea to build a new wing to the museum to expand the available space was proposed. Artist Ragheb Ayad designed a new façade to the building with the same layout and using the same decorative elements as those for al-Aqmar Mosque, which resemble those used in Coptic art.