Madaba is best explored through the Madaba Map, its mosaics and archaeological sites. A cultural trip offers several areas of focus: the history of a map discovery, the evidence found in the Archaeological Park, museums in the city and historic sites in the surrounding area. If you’re looking for accommodation in Madaba, first consider whether you want your stay to focus mainly on the city itself or also on its surroundings.
The Madaba Map and Where It Was Found
The Madaba Map was discovered on the floor of the older church during the construction of the present-day church. It is considered the oldest geographic map of the Holy Land. Its original size is thought to have been 5.6 × 15.7 metres; about a quarter remains today. The discovery of the map therefore draws attention both to its historical context and to the difference between its estimated original dimensions and the portion that survives. As a starting point for exploring other cultural themes, the map connects a specific discovery context with a geographic depiction.
Churches, Mosaics and Archaeological Traces
Madaba Archaeological Park includes the Church of the Prophet Elias, the crypt of Saint Elianus, hanging mosaic panels, the remains of a paved Roman road, the Hall of Hippolytus and the Church of the Virgin Mary. The collection of sites encompasses churches and a crypt as well as mosaics and architectural remains. Visitors interested in different kinds of archaeological evidence will find several themes within the same park, rather than just a single discovery to follow.
In the surrounding area, southeast of Madaba, lies the Byzantine Church of the Apostles. Its ground plan is that of a three-aisled basilica. A circular inscription around the mosaic names the artist Salmanios and gives 578 AD as the year the church was built. The inscription offers a different historical perspective from the Madaba Map: it connects a particular mosaic with an artist’s name and a date.
Dhiban is also part of the wider regional context and lies 33 kilometres from Madaba. Under King Mesha, Dhiban was the capital of the Moabite kingdom; the Mesha Stele was found there in the mid-19th century. Together with the Church of the Apostles, Dhiban broadens the view to historic sites outside the city. You can treat these places as a distinct regional focus when planning your trip, without equating them with attractions within the city.
Museums and Getting Your Bearings in the City
The Mādabā Archaeological Museum arranges its archaeological collection by place of discovery and in chronological order. It was established in 1979 in a group of old houses where numerous mosaic floors had been discovered. The Mādabā Folklore Museum was established to preserve the local heritage of Mādabā and the surrounding villages. The museums have different focuses: one arranges archaeological objects by place and period, while the other is dedicated to preserving local heritage.
The Madaba Visitor Center serves as a starting point for visitors’ stay in the city. Tourist Street, also known as al-Hussein bin Ali Street, offers another point of orientation. It is a shopping street for handicrafts and products related to Madaba’s mosaics and religious imagery. Your planning can therefore draw on both a starting point for your stay and a street with a clear connection to local handicrafts.
You can choose your destination based on the themes you’d like to focus on during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Jarash, Wadi Rum, Ma'an, Aţ Ţayyibah, Irbid, Ajloun, Aqaba.
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