Buried mosaic treasures
The history of Madaba dates back at least 3,500 years and is mentioned in the old Testament several times. Yet it is most famous for its intricate 5th and 6th century mosaics, prolifically laid throughout the town.
Following a destructive attack by the Persians in 614 and an earthquake soon after, these mosaics were forgotten and remained undiscovered until the town was resettled by Christian families in the late 19th century.
Mosaic map
The most important example lies in the Greek Orthodox Church of St George. It is a Byzantine mosaic map of the holy land, originally thought to have contained over 2.3 million pieces. More stunning examples can be seen in several other of the town's churches and in the Madaba Archaeological Museum.
Modern mosaics
The Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration is continuing the tradition of mosaic artwork and has spawned many mosaic workshops in the area.
Mount Nebo
Just outside Madaba is Mount Nebo the place, mentioned in the Bible, from where Moses was supposed to have viewed of the Promised Land.
The panorama from this point is spectacular and when Pope John Paul II visited in 2000 he announced that it was to be one of five places in Jordan that would be designated Catholic Christian Pilgrimage sites.
Responsible travel plans
Despite the number of tourist sites in and around Madaba, the majority of visitors come only on organised daytrips. The Madaba Tourism Development Association is working to change this. A new pilot project gives visitors the chance to visit local family farms to help pick olives or grapes and share a meal of local produce. There are also plans to take visitors by donkey into a beautiful part of the countryside that has a significant number of dolmens, large standing stone burial chambers dating from the Bronze Age.
Read more about historical towns and monuments and mosaic workshops in Jordan
The history of Madaba dates back at least 3,500 years and is mentioned in the old Testament several times. Yet it is most famous for its intricate 5th and 6th century mosaics, prolifically laid throughout the town. Following a destructive attack by the Persians in 614 and an earthquake soon after, these mosaics were forgotten and remained undiscovered until the town was resettled by Christian families in the late 19th century.
Mosaic map
The most important example lies in the Greek Orthodox Church of St George. It is a Byzantine mosaic map of the holy land, originally thought to have contained over 2.3 million pieces. More stunning examples can be seen in several other of the town's churches and in the Madaba Archaeological Museum.
Modern mosaicsThe Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration is continuing the tradition of mosaic artwork and has spawned many mosaic workshops in the area.
Mount Nebo
Just outside Madaba is Mount Nebo the place, mentioned in the Bible, from where Moses was supposed to have viewed of the Promised Land.
The panorama from this point is spectacular and when Pope John Paul II visited in 2000 he announced that it was to be one of five places in Jordan that would be designated Catholic Christian Pilgrimage sites.
"We want tourists to have a maximum experience of local hospitality by local people. We don't want to the tourists to see the locals from their bus windows and leave without contact"
Charlie Twal, Madaba Tourism Development Association
Responsible travel plans
Despite the number of tourist sites in and around Madaba, the majority of visitors come only on organised daytrips. The Madaba Tourism Development Association is working to change this. A new pilot project gives visitors the chance to visit local family farms to help pick olives or grapes and share a meal of local produce. There are also plans to take visitors by donkey into a beautiful part of the countryside that has a significant number of dolmens, large standing stone burial chambers dating from the Bronze Age.
Read more about historical towns and monuments and mosaic workshops in Jordan 
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