Madaba Travel Guide

Where To Visit In Madaba

Here are places you shouldn't miss while in Madaba.

1- Greek Orthodox Saint George Church
The Saint George Church is famous and is one of the oldest Byzantine churches. The Madaba map(also called Madaba Mosaic Map) is a stunning representation of the middle east floor of the church. The church is also home to the oldest surviving original map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. The church's walls are decorated with several additional mosaics that enhance its attractive appearance. Although much of the map has suffered significant damage, the richness of these mosaics can still be comprehended.

2- Madaba Archaeological Park
One of the top attractions in Madaba is the Archaeological Park. The Madaba Archaeological Park features streets, churches and numerous mosaics. The Park's splendor cannot but attract tourists. By visiting this beautiful park, you'll gain a deeper insight into the local religion and culture.

3 -Mount Nebo
In Madaba sits a tourist destination called Mount Nebo. In the Hebrew Bible, Mount Nebo is described as the place from which Moses was given a glimpse of the Promise Land. You can enjoy the amazing views of Madaba and the River Jordan from Mount Nebo's summit.

4- Church Of The Apostles
The Church Of The Apostles? Yes! When you pay a visit to the historical Madaba city, do make sure to visit this church. On the walls of the church are inscriptions of the 12 Apostles' images. According to historians, the inscriptions are dated to the late 568 AD. The church has seen extensive damage but still serves as a prime representation of historic designs. The church is decorated with paintings, flowers and many more to give it a vibrant atmosphere.

5-Church Of St. John The Baptist
Here's another church of historic significance. This ancient church is one of the most beautiful churches in Madaba. The church also has a room filled with numerous images that brings the church's history to life. The walls are also full of mosaics. However, the biggest attraction of the church is the stunning view you can enjoy. By using The metallic stairs, you'll arrive at the top of the building where you can view the beautiful city of Madaba.

Best Time To Visit Madaba, Jordan

Jordan accepts visitors all year round. Nevertheless, spring or autumn is the best time to visit Jordan. Spring lasts from March to May and autumn from September to October. These months are the best periods to enjoy your visit since there will be clear skies accompanied by nice weather.

Things to know before visiting Madaba

It is recommended that you tour this beautiful city with a private guide. By having a guide, you'll better understand the archaeological sites and structures. You'll also understand the Madaba mosaic map better with the help of a guide.
The map is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. So users of such can easily view the map. Also, if you will be visiting Saint George Church, you should dress modestly as it is a house of worship that's functioning.

History

Another aspect of Madaba's fame is history. In Jordan, Madaba has the greatest concentration of historical sites and structures such as historical mosaics from the Byzantine and Umayyad eras, mosques, churches and many more. If you were to visit all the historical places in Madaba, you might end up not visiting other places in Jordan during your trip.

Why Is The City Of Madaba famous?

Madaba Mosaic Map
Madaba is famous for being the city that houses the Madaba mosaic map which is said to be the oldest surviving map of Palestine and the surrounding areas. The map was found in 1884 and it formed the floor of a ruined ancient church in Madaba. The dimension of the Madaba map, which dates back to the 6th century was 22 by 7 meters. It is particularly an interesting piece due to its comprehensive plan of Jerusalem and its extensive list of Negrev place names that
aren't documented in some other sources. Although much of the map had suffered significant damage in 1896 when scholars got to know about it.

Location And History

Madaba is located in a highland area that is at an elevation of more than 760 metres. The city sits along the king's Highway, an old trade route that connects Amman to Al-Aqabah in Southern Jordan. The holy Madaba city has a recorded history found in the bible. Numbers 21:30 and Joshua 13:9 are two passages in the bible that cited this holy city. It was also mentioned during the Exodus, around 1200BC. In fact, an intriguing discovery was a tomb from this period discovered in Madaba's eastern region. Madaba is listed in the Bible as one of the Plain cities of Moab that the Israelites conquered. The Moabite king freed the city sometime during the 9th century BC, according to the King of Moab inscriptions. Israel and Moab were said to have repeatedly alternated control over the city. During the 2nd to the 7th century when the Roman and Byzantine empires ruled the city, the city was a part of Provincia Arabia which Roman Emperor Trajan established to take the place of the Nabataean kingdom of Petra. Madaba evolved into a typical provincial town during the Roman empire. At that time, it was a city full of significant temples, huge water cisterns, colonnaded streets, a city wall and many other structures. Throughout the 8th century and beyond the town thrived under the Roman rule. You can find the ruins of the Roman town on the long paved streets in Madaba's archaeological Park.