Exploring Madaba: St. George's Church and Archaeological Park, Jordan

Discovering Madaba, Jordan

• 📍 Madaba is a small town located approximately 20 minutes from Queen Alia airport in Jordan, serving as a key destination on the second day of the trip.
• ⛪ The video highlights St. George's Church, an old and historic structure built in the 1870s, which is a central attraction in the city.
• 🗺️ Inside St. George's Church, visitors can find the Madaba Mosaic Map, an ancient discovery made during excavations.

The Madaba Mosaic Map

• 📜 The Madaba Mosaic Map is recognized as the oldest surviving original cartographic depiction of the Holy Land, specifically including Jerusalem.
• 📅 Dating back to the sixth century AD, this significant mosaic is located in the apse of St. George's Church and is oriented eastward, aligning places with compass directions.
• 📏 Originally measuring 21 by 7 meters and containing over two million tesserae, its current dimensions are 16 by 5 meters, showcasing a vast area from Lebanon to the Nile Delta and the Mediterranean Sea to the Eastern Desert.

Madaba Archaeological Park

• 🏛️ Established in 1995, the Madaba Archaeological Park is dedicated to preserving and presenting archaeological wonders from the Roman and Byzantine eras.
• 🖼️ The eastern section of the park features the oldest mosaic fragment discovered in Jordan, alongside an exhibition of regional mosaics.
• ⛪ Key attractions include the Hippolytus Hall floor, depicting ancient myths through mosaics, and the protected ruins of the round Church of the Virgin Mary, designed by architect Ammar Khammash.
• 🛣️ A preserved Roman road within the park leads to the stunning mosaics of the Crypt of St. Elianus, and the site also houses the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration (MIMAR).

Historical Sites and Mosaics

• 🔥 The Burnt Palace, a 7th-century aristocratic domestic building of the Byzantine city, was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 747 AD and is named for the thick ashy layer found during excavation.
• 🎨 Mosaics from the Burnt Palace's eastern wing feature a frame with trees, flowers, birds, fish, and animals, along with acanthus scrolls decorated with pastoral and hunting motives.
• ⛪ Other notable mosaics mentioned include those from the Martyrs' Church, depicting hunting, fowling, and herding, and the Tree of Life mosaic, as well as a large floor mosaic depicting the cities of Rome, Gregoria, and Madaba.

Jordan Travel Information

• 🎫 The Jordan Pass is available for purchase before arrival, starting from 70 dinars per person, and includes the e-visa as well as access to most attractions in Jordan, including Petra.
• ✅ This pass allows travelers to avoid purchasing individual tickets for numerous sites across the country, offering convenience and savings.