Church of the Virgin Mary (Haret Zuweila)

Like most Coptic churches, the floor plan is made up of a narthex (forecourt), a nave with two side aisles, and a choir with three sanctuaries (haykal).

Three rows of ancient marble Corinthian columns separate the northern and southern aisles and the nave from the narthex.

[1] The iconostasis of the central sanctuary is made of ebony inlaid with ivory, and is surmounted by thirteen icons of the Virgin Mary and the Twelve Apostles.

The southern sanctuary is dedicated to the angel Gabriel and its door, which dates to the Fatimid Period, is inlaid with ivory panels and has sculpted relief of birds and animals.

They depict the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Baptism, the Entry into Jerusalem, the Resurrection, the Ascension and the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

[1] A shrine adjacent to the southern sanctuary contains several famous icons, including one of the Virgin Mary dating to the 14th century.

A library within the church contains many valuable manuscripts and a number of important icons, including one of the Annunciation that dates to about 1355 AD.