The recorded history of this church goes back to
1185 A.D. when Pope Marcos III built a great church on this place and
dedicated it to the Holy Virgin. Coptic Christians, however, believe older
churches stood on this spot. The church has recently been restored and
has a beautiful collection of icons. Musturud has become an important
pilgrimage location for Coptic pilgrims yearly, attracting hundreds of
thousands of people.
 © copyright A medieval door leading to the sanctuary. The Coptic Orthodox Church calls it the royal door for this reason. |
 © copyright The courtyard of the Church of the Holy Virgin |
 © copyright The gate leading to the Church of the Holy Virgin |
 © copyright Inside the cave where the Holy Family stayed and found shelter at the church of the Holy Virgin |
 © copyright A church worker standing beside the well at the Church of the Holy Virgin at Musturud. This well was created by Jesus to provide the Holy Family with water during their stay at Musturud. At the background we can see the steps leading down to the cave where the Holy Family rested and found shelter. |
 © copyright The Holy Virgin Church at Musturud. After a long day of traveling, the Holy Family was in need of shelter and water. They found a cave in Musturud where they rested and at that spot Jesus created a well, which the Holy Family used for drinking, washing and bathing. This well is now located inside this church. |
 © copyright A mosque’s minaret seen through the domes of the Church of the Holy Virgin at Musturud. It is common to have a mosque close to a church. |