What to visit in Jordan - Madaba

Madaba is known as the city of ancient mosaics, but also by its Arab Christian community and churches. 

Madaba is 30 km southwest of Amman.

Church of Saint George and the Mosaic Map

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, is a religious place of interest, but also historic, due to the 6th century A.D. mosaic floor map of the Holy Land and the surrounding regions, such as: Jerusalem, the church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Jordan river, the Dead sea, Hebron, Jericho, Egypt, Nile river, Turkey, Lebanon.
This mosaic-map was made around 560 C.E. and it was originally composed of over 2.3 million hand-cut pieces and measured 25 by 5 meters.  

This byzantine map is the oldest map of Jerusalem and is helping to understand the Byzantine Jerusalem and the localization of many biblical sites. Part of the map was destroyed before it was uncovered. 

The church was built in 1896 A.D. over the remains of a 6th century byzantine church. 

The religious pictures are made from little mosaics.

Entrance Fees:  For some non-Jordanians is free, for others is 1 JD for, and some paid 2JD. 

Anyway, who would expect to  have to pay to enter in the "House of God"?!
Opening Hours:
Saturday to Thursday: 08:30-18:00h

Friday: 10:30 -18:00h

Archeological Park of Madaba

Hippolytus Hall mosaic

It's a small  poorly maintained open-air museum with ancient mosaics, an old roman road and remainings from different churches and houses.  

mosaics from the Church of the Virgin Mary 

Entrance Fees: Again, some non-Jordanians didn't pay entrance, others paid 1 JD, and some paid  2 and 3 JD. 

Opening Hours: 8:00 - 16:00h

Church of St John the Baptist

Facade of the St. John Church

The Roman Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist was built with ancient stones, in 1905,  on top of ancient ruins. 

Inside the church, there are interesting paintings representing the life of St. John the Baptist, from 1904.

This church is active and every Sunday there is a mass.

It is possible to climb to the top of the bell tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surroundings, from the little viewing area.  However, it is an adventure to climb those steep stairs, that don't offer western european safety standards.  People afraid of heights should not attempt. 

We are taken by surprise by the steps that lead us down to explore the ancient underground tunnels. 
Where, we will find the shrine of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

Moabite well

Inside these ancient tunnels, we will, also, find a 3000 years old Moabit well, archaeological ruins, a recreation of Ruth's bedouin tent, a model of how Madaba used to look, byzantine finds, a subterranean passage to the church and more.
Not for the claustrophobic.

Entrance Fees: 1 JD For jordanian and non-jordanians. 

Fortunately, The entrance is not charged to assist the sundays' masses. But is not allowed to visit.

Opening hours: 9:00 - 17:00h

Church of the Apostles

The ruins of this Byzantine church date to 568 CE, according to its inscription.

The church dedicated to the apostles, was discovered in 1902 and restored.
Its structure is a basilica with a nave and two aisles. 
Here, we find the largest restored mosaic in Madaba. 

The entire floor is covered with dusty mosaics of different patterns: flowers, fruits, animals, birds, trees, others.
In the centre of the church, there's a circular mosaic with the female personification of the sea, surrounded by fish and marine creatures.  

Entrance Fees: Again, some non-Jordanians  paid 1 JD, others paid  2JD and some 3 JD. 

Opening Hour: 9:00 -17:00h