Dr. Gamal Mostafa, head of the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Sector, said the Ministry of Antiquities has completed development work on the general site of the Virgin Mary's Tree in the Matariya archaeological area in Cairo, as part of its attention to developing the archaeological sites listed on the route of the Holy Family's journey.
Mostafa added that all work to fully operate the water cascades at the mouth of the well next to the tree, as an aesthetic feature of the site, has been completed, and highly efficient water-pumping services have been supplied, in addition to preparing the cafeteria area, developing the lighting system at the archaeological site, upgrading the public garden, and preparing two permanent exhibition halls at the site to introduce visitors to the history of the Holy Family's journey in Egypt and the history of the Virgin Mary's Tree through the screening of documentary films. The site is thus fully ready to receive visitors.
The head of the Islamic and Coptic Antiquities Sector explained that the Virgin Mary's Tree site is one of the most important points on the route of the Holy Family's journey in Egypt, which also include the monasteries of Wadi El Natrun, the Church of Abu Serga in the Old Cairo area, and the Muharraq Monastery in Assiut.
