Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War Black and White Photographic Postcard Chapel of the Holy Family Matarieh

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c. 1916 - 1918

Overview

A small black and white photograph showing part of the interior of a chapel. The image shows wooden pews in front of an ornate altar. The altar has an ornate metal fence in front of it. There is a large stone arch at the entrance to the altar. Within this arch are two statues, one either side, one depicting an adult and a baby. Above the alter is large statue set into a recess depicting a man, woman and child. The stonework surrounding the recess is carved and ornate including flowers and stars. The altar has two (2) large balls hanging from the ceiling on either side along with candelabras that stand on plinths on the floor. The altar itself is covered with lace cloth with four flower arrangements and a cross atop. The reverse of the image has the proforma printing of part of a postcard and an inscription. The photograph has a small border and is in good condition.

Historical information

The church in the image is the Holy Family Church, located in the El Matareya district of Cairo (Egypt). The church was built next to the Tree of Mary (also known as the Tree of the Virgin Mary), a sycamore tree under which the Virgin Mary is believed to have sheltered during a journey through Egypt by the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph).

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2022.1.113

Item type

Photographs

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Photo Paper

Width

88 mm

Height or length