Inside the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in the New Capital

As winter settles in and the festive season draws near, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ once again comes into focus as one of the New Capital’s most meaningful spiritual and architectural landmarks. As the main cathedral of Egypt’s New Capital and the largest cathedral in the Middle East, it becomes a natural gathering point during the Coptic Christmas season, with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II set, as in previous years, to preside over the Christmas Mass on January 6th, 2026.

The cathedral reflects a wider vision that positions the city as a centre for cultural coexistence, national heritage and contemporary urban development. Built across 15 acres, equivalent to roughly 63,000 square metres, the cathedral can accommodate around 8,200 worshippers. A smaller church within the complex was partially inaugurated during the Christmas Mass of January 2018, attended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, while the main cathedral was officially opened on January 6th, 2019.

Beyond its scale, the cathedral complex is designed as an integrated religious and cultural destination. It includes two churches—a main cathedral and a smaller church—alongside a principal events hall, two secondary halls, baptism rooms, a lounge and a central control room. The wider site also features a papal residence, a people’s church and an open-air theatre.

Architecturally, the structure draws heavily on Coptic design traditions. Two bell towers, each rising more than 60 metres, frame the site, while the main dome measures 40 metres in diameter and reaches 36 metres above ground level. The cathedral is enclosed by outer walls with three main gates and a side entrance, reinforcing its presence as both a civic and spiritual landmark.

Practical infrastructure supports the scale of the project, including a two-level underground parking garage and a dedicated services building. Interior artwork and iconography were executed under the supervision of a team of Coptic nuns who previously worked on the renovation of Abbasiya Cathedral, while major architectural and consultancy firms oversaw the concrete works and exterior finishes.

Today, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ remains one of the most prominent landmarks of the New Capital, embodying an emphasis on religious tolerance, the revival of Coptic architectural language and the broader cultural ambitions shaping Egypt’s newest city.