Location: Madaba
Top Things to do in Madaba
Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Madaba, Madaba Governorate
Madaba (Arabic: مادبا; Biblical Hebrew: מֵידְבָא Meidvah) is the capital city of Madaba Governorate in central Jordan, with a population of about 60,000. It is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, especially a large Byzantine-era mosaic map of the Holy Land. Madaba is located 30 kilometres (19 miles) south-west of the capital Amman.
Restaurants in Madaba
1. Mukawir
2. St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 reviews
On December 7, 1967 the Vatican recognized the historic Catholic Church in Madaba, belonging to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, as a Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist and urged visitors and pilgrims to visit this sacred site.
Reviewed By 119rodf
A lovely church with its tunnels ( watch your head) and viewing tower. Well worth a visit and the nominal entrance fee.
3. Memorial Church of Moses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
The Moses Memorial Church holds a commanding position at the top of Mount Nebo. It was here that God showed Moses the Promised Land. Pilgrims have been visiting this site for centuries. The present church dates to an original 6th century Byzantine Basilica whose foundations were a smaller 4th century church. In 1976, archaeologists made an astonishing discovery of what may be the best early Christian mosaic in Jordan, if not the world: a cruciform baptismal basin and a 16 x 16 ft mosaic dating to 531 AD. The mosaic is stunning! There are mosaics at other Jordan sites, but if you have time to visit only one, Mount Nebo is the best.
4. Madaba Mosaic Map
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,139 reviews
This fascinating map of the Holy Land, now housed in the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, was made in the 6th century out of two million stone pieces.
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
Head to Saint George Greek Orthodox Church to see the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land. Over two million tesserae (little tiles) once comprised this 6th century masterpiece referenced by early Christian pilgrims. A little over half of the map has survived the passage of time, negligence and purposeful defacing. But, thanks to a 1965 restoration effort, enough remains to take your breath away. The largest and most detailed element is Jerusalem, at the center. The map has even been used in recent times to authenticate Biblical geographic accounts. All the notations are in Greek. The Church Visitor’s Center has a helpful interpretive map for orientation.
5. Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By abroadwithashley - Minneapolis, United States
A UNESCO site that we really loved visiting. Most of the site is still unexcavated, so you can live out your Indian Jones dream by digging out ancient mosaics in many of the ancient churches that are still semi-buried. One church IS fully unearthed and the mosaics that were buried there are some of the most immense and intricate we have ever seen. It’s impossible to miss them as they are housed under the only modern structure on site. Throughout our time at the site, we kept wishing that more of it was excavated, but money is short right now, and hopefully in the future they’ll be able to pull back time to see what other wonders Umm Ar-Rasas holds. We can’t wait.
6. Wadi Jadid
7. Madaba Archaeological Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 360 reviews
Reviewed By abroadwithashley - Minneapolis, United States
If you start at the visitor’s center, this will be your first port of call on the walking tour of Madaba. It’s a lovely start and is filled with multiple excellent examples of Madaba’s mosaics. The ones depicting homes/cities from the surrounding area that hang on the walls towards the entrance of the park were some of our favorites, and the large floor mosaics in Mary’s church was another highlight. You’ve come to Madaba to see mosaics and this park won’t disappoint.
8. Church of the Apostles
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 155 reviews
Reviewed By SLWS5775 - Jerusalem, Israel
This mosaic is a must see. It's a distance from the archaeological park, which is just up the hill, above it. There is a platform from which one can take pictures of the floor, which is extensive. It is so easy to get overwhelmed by the number of mosaics in Medaba, but this is surely one of the largest and one of the most unique. The man looking after it was kind and personable.
9. The Church of Saint George
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 552 reviews
Reviewed By MargaretBenefiel - Washington DC, United States
Amazing huge mosaic map of the Holy Land from the 6th century on the floor of the church. Plus many other mosaics, ancient and modern.
10. Machaerus
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By AJ095 - Ann Arbor, United States
This place is where John the Baptist was beheaded. Highly recommended. It takes some time getting there and back to the bus (in our case), wear good shoes and take some water.
