Madaba | Jordan Attractions
Madaba Jordan
The journey south from Amman along the ancient Kings Highway, which dates back over 5,000 years, winds through a series of ancient sites and represents one of the unforgettable routes that characterize the Holy Land.
The first city we meet is Madaba, "the city of mosaics"; known above all for its spectacular Byzantine and Omayyadic mosaics, here you can see the famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the 6th century.
With two million colored stone tiles, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages, and cities up to the Nile delta. Other mosaic masterpieces found in the Church of the Virgin and Apostles and preserved in the Archaeological Museum, depict a lush profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, exotic animals, and beasts.
The city of Madaba, home to the largest Christian community in Jordan, is located just 30kms from Amman and its great highlight is undoubtedly the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, where the famous map of the Holy Land is made in Byzantine mosaic. For those who visit Jordan, Madaba is another of the must-see destinations.
This mosaic dates from the 6th century, and in its nearly two million pieces, it depicts mountains and valleys, villages and towns in Palestine, and the Nile Delta as well as the oldest representation of Jerusalem from the Byzantine era. In addition to many more mosaics worthy of being appreciated throughout the church.
A well-traveled bridge between sea and desert, east and west, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrasts, from the Jordan Valley, fertile, and ever-changing, to the remote desert canyons, immense and still. Visitors can explore splendid desert castles, gaze in awe at the haunting wilderness of Wadi Rum, or bathe in the restful waters of the Red Sea.
