Ma'an brings together traditional houses, early churches and a landscape overlooking the Dead Sea area. Those weighing up the historic fabric of the town and natural attractions will find a range of points of interest here.

Traditional Houses and the Town Layout

The old archaeological and traditional houses include more than 40 buildings made of stone, mud, wood and reeds. They stand close together in groups arranged like neighbourhoods, with one or two streets running between the groups. This neighbourhood-style layout is reflected both in the groups of houses and in the streets between them. Shops dating from around 1900 are also part of this historic heritage.

One of the best-known traditional houses in the area is the house of Ghalib Halasa. Halasa was a Jordanian writer and novelist from Mā‘īn. The link between the place and the person adds to the architectural details: alongside the materials and layout, a particular house associated with a writer also represents local history.

Early Churches and Their Inscriptions

The first early church in Ma'an was discovered by chance in 1934. It was 16 metres long and 9 metres wide; its floor was laid with mosaics bearing the names of other Christian sites in the region. One inscription survived with the words, “Then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altars” (Psalm 51:21). The entrance also bore the words: “This is the gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter” (Psalm 118:20).

The second early church was discovered in 1977 and has three apses. An inscription found there, dating from the late 6th century, mentions Ma'in Hot Springs. A third early church, known as the “Church of the Monastery,” was discovered in 1972 on a hill south of the village and also has three apses. The two churches discovered later therefore share the architectural feature of three apses; they were discovered in different years, and the inscription reference belongs to the second, while the name and location identify the third.

Landscape and Regional Setting

From Ma'an, there are views of the Dead Sea area; valleys lie to the west and south of the town. The natural landscape is suitable for paragliding and mountaineering. Ma'an is also considered the last village on the route to Ma'in Hot Springs and Zara. This offers travellers a choice of different priorities: houses and churches appeal to those interested in cultural history, while the valleys, views and activities mentioned provide a focus on the landscape.

The wider Madaba Governorate also includes the Omari Mosque, Ma’in Baths, the Church of the Map, Church of the Apostles, Church of Al-Khader, Church of the Virgin Mary and Church of the Prophet Elijah, as well as Dhiban and Atarz, among its archaeological sites. This regional context offers a broader cultural setting alongside the houses and churches in Ma'an.

Discover more destinations: Ajloun, Jarash, Aţ Ţayyibah, Irbid, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Madaba

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