Dome

The area above the portal to the church; The Hanging Church derives its name from its location on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon fortress [a Roman fortress in Old, or Coptic Cairo] with its nave suspended above the passage (al-Mu'allaqa translates to 'suspended'). "Among the surviving churches dated to the 7th and 8th centuries in Old Cairo are the Hanging Church (al-Mu'allaqa) and those of St Sergius (Abu Sarga) and St Barbara (Sitt Barbara)." Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/19/2008)