Cairo's Cave Church: Journey Through Ruins to Reach Paradise

The sense of contrast Cairo gave me pales in comparison to witnessing it firsthand. Traveling through Garbage City to reach the Cave Church was an unforgettable experience. This area is the world's largest man-made waste processing site and home to the Zabaleen, the "scavenger people." Two-thirds of the city's garbage is processed by them, and the spaces between buildings are filled with trash, leaving almost no gaps. In this crowded and foul-smelling environment, their faith is held high. Children are born into this environment, and locals told us they have never attended school. From birth, they help adults sort and process garbage day and night. The children here haven't even learned to say "one dollar," but when they see us passing by, they curiously run over to greet us. Despite living in such conditions, they possess pure and radiant smiles. The road to the church is filled with stench, but the century-old Cave Church at the end of the path feels like a world apart. 📍 Taxi Location: St. Simon "The Tanner" Monastery 🚕 Transportation: Uber/Didi International ⚠️ It's easy to get a ride uphill but difficult to find one downhill. It's recommended to negotiate a round trip with the driver 💰 and have them wait at the entrance. If the driver refuses to wait, there are cars available at the top 🔪 or you can call a tuk-tuk. 🚠 Zipline Next to the church, there's a zipline experience 💰150 Egyptian pounds per person. The ride is smooth, offering a panoramic view of the church. ⚽️ Soccer Field Heading uphill from the church leads to a soccer field where you can overlook Garbage City. 📷 Photography It's recommended to visit around 2-3 PM when sunlight streams into the cave, creating a stunning effect. Garbage City is close to the Saladin Citadel and the City of the Dead, making it convenient to explore all three. Female travelers are advised not to go alone❗️ Garbage City is not a mainstream tourist destination, so consider your personal circumstances before deciding to visit. Walking through the city can be quite smelly; bring a mask 😷 if you're sensitive to odors.