Madaba

MADABA

Madaba is a combination of rural home life and a hot spot for religious tourism. Known as the “City of Mosaics” Madaba is the cultural epicenter for Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. Just a short distance from the capitol visitors are just a stone’s throw away from the holy monuments of religious iconography.

In or around 562 AD, many exquisite mosaic floors were laid in Madaba, including the Chapel of St. Theodore, now part of the Madaba Cathedral. In the Church of the Apostles, a mosaicist named Salamanios completed a masterwork. The Personification of the Sea, a medallion, portrays the Sea as a woman rising from the water, with various sea creatures swimming around her. Land animals and vegetation border the fabulous floor. The inscription reads, “0 Lord God who has made the heavens and the earth, give life to Anastasius, to Thomas, to Theodore and Salamanios the mosaicist.” Unfortunately, due to the iconoclasm of the Christian church during the 7th and 8th centuries, many figures in various Madaba mosaics were defaced with blank tesserae.

The oldest and most famous floor, the Mosaic Map, was discovered in 1884 in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. It was originally laid in 560 AD. Centering on Jerusalem, the map portrays the region with accuracy and humor. Archeologists have been able to positively identify most of the 150 named sites due to the accurate portrayals of natural features such as the River Jordan or the Dead Sea, as well as the labels, which used color and font size to indicate the importance of the sites. The geographical accuracy gives credence to the idea that the wildlife shown on the map, such as lions and gazelles, actually lived in the area. Amusing features, such as a horrified fish rushinc away from the Dead Sea, not only indicate much about the region, but also show the humanity of the mosaicists Only one-third of the map has survived.

The Archeological Park is located on the foundations 01 the Church of the Virgin Mary, and its floor is part of the collection. A mosaic found at Herod’s castle in Mukawir i~ said to be the oldest mosaic found in Jordan, dating frorr the 1 st century Be. The charming Hall of Seasons wa~ found under a Madaba house. Across the preserved Romar road, complete with wheel ruts, are the foundations of the Church of the Prophet Elias, constructed in 608 AD.

Other tourist opportunities abound. The Burnt Palace is a 6th century luxury palace destroyed about 749 AC by fire and earth tremors, but which still boasts mosaic floors, mostly depicting animals and hunts. The Madaba Museum contains jewelry and ethnic costumes, as well as more mosaics. The unique Madaba Mosaic School seeks to preserve the craft and to teach conservation techniques. Although it is open to the public, the classrooms are closed to facilitate learning. Most of its texts are in Italian.

Madaba is an unusual place. Once a Roman town, it is hard to find evidence of that now, but the Byzantine influence defines the tourism aspect of the area. The mosaics that were laid here long ago, and the ones being created now, set Madaba apart.

MADABA VISITORS’ CENTER

Nestled into a renovated house from the 19th century the Madaba Visitors Center is an attraction all on its own. Acquired by The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the center is a great launching point for visitors arriving to Madaba. Open 7 days a week, including holidays, the visitors center is more than equipped to prepare you for your journey into the land of mosaics and religious history.

TOURIST STREET

While visiting Madaba stop by Hussein bin Ali St or “The Tourist Street” to purchase handicrafts and products specific to the mosaics and religious iconography found in Madaba.

La storia museum

Stumble upon the recreation of Jordan’s biblical history at the La Storia Museum in Mount Nebo. Bring religious history to life with sculptures of ethnographic scenes designed to place you in the heart of biblical time.

UMM AR-RASAS

With most of the city now in ruins, Umm ar-Rasas, originally inhabited by the Romans to protect trade routes from the Arabian Peninsula to the Levant, is now an archeological site perfect for those who love history. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2004 because of its diverse Roman and Islamic influences, this site is sure to please.

MOSES’ SPRING

Oyun Moses is an archaeological and religious area composed of hot springs. It is located 10 Km from Madaba near Mount Nebo, specifically towards the northern/eastern side of the mountain. This name refers the story of Moses when he struck “the rock” causing water to gush out; providing his community and their livestock with water.

BEIT AL BIERUTI

Beit Al Bieruti is distinguished by its ancient architectural style, as it is a heritage house built back a hundred ago, and through the tourists experience in Beit Al Beiruti, they will enjoy unparalleled tourism experiences, as it is an arts and crafts store, in addition, It is full of interactive activities, including educational and entertainment activities.

Providing local Experiences as a part Ecotourism definition, as a ‘responsible travel that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people’.

Cultural and Heritage experiences benefit local communities and destinations culturally and economically and it is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. This could be considered as the competitive advantage of Al Bieruti

MADABA INSTITUTE FOR MOSAIC ART

Certified in training artists in the restoration of mosaics, the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art offers a two-year diploma program for the vocational training of mosaic restoration.

WADI ZARQA MA’IN

Falling from the high cliffs the waterfalls of Zarq’a Ma’in are a sneak peek into heaven. Visitors to the Zarq’a Ma’in hot springs will be treated to landscapes similar to the tropical atmosphere of South American countries. Bring your trekking shoes and enjoy the hike.

WADI MUJIB – BALOU TRAIL

Wadi Balou’ is one of Jordan’s hidden secrets. With black and white stones covering the Wadi’s bed and mix of sediment rock and limestone on the walls the trek is absolutely unique. Dropping into Mujib Dam, this canyon is a proper example of pure canyoning with 3 rappels , pools , slides and jumps.

WADI HIDAN

Wadi Hidan is a black, narrow basalt canyon  that feeds into the Dead Sea. The trek follows a ravine through natural pools and vegetation. Expect to get wet.