Madaba

Madaba is the capital city of Madaba Governorate in central Jordan. It has a population of about 60,000 people. The city is famous for its beautiful old mosaics from the Byzantine and Umayyad times. One of the most famous mosaics is a large map of the Holy Land made a long time ago.

Madaba is located about 30 kilometres, or 19 miles, southwest of Amman, the capital of Jordan. The city’s old mosaics show scenes from history and are very important for learning about the past. People from all over the world visit Madaba to see these amazing works of art.

The city’s name has been known in many languages, including Arabic, Biblical Hebrew, and Ancient Greek. Because of its rich history and beautiful art, Madaba is a special place in Jordan.

History

Madaba has a very long history. It dates back to the Middle Bronze Age. During the Iron Age, it was a town of the Moabites and is mentioned in the Bible. Over time, control of the city changed between Israel and Moab.

Later, during Roman and Byzantine times, Madaba was part of a region called Arabia Petraea. The first signs of a Christian community there appear in the 5th century. In the 7th century, the city became part of the Rashidun Caliphate and later the Umayyad Caliphate.

In 1880, Arab Christian families from Al Karak moved to Madaba and began to rebuild the city. In 1884, while clearing old ruins, they discovered an important 6th-century mosaic known as the Madaba Map.

Today, Madaba is the capital of Madaba Governorate and is one of the larger cities in Jordan, with a population of 122,008 as of 2021.

Archaeological finds

In Madaba city

When people in Madaba were building new houses, they sometimes found beautiful old mosaics made from colored stones. These mosaics were hidden under layers of older buildings. The people of Madaba realized how important these mosaics were, thanks to their priests, and they worked hard to protect and preserve them.

One part of the city, especially the northern area, has many of these mosaics. Long ago, during the Byzantine and Umayyad times, important buildings like churches and mansions were built there. These include the Church of the Map and the Hippolytus Mansion.

One of the most famous mosaics is called the Madaba Map. It was found in 1884 when people were building the church of St. George. It wasn’t studied until 1896. This map, made in the 6th century, shows hills, valleys, villages, and towns in places like Palestine and the Nile Delta. It even shows Jerusalem with its main street and the Holy Sepulchre church. This map helps us learn about what Jerusalem looked like a long time ago.

Other mosaics show flowers, plants, birds, fish, and animals. There are also pictures of myths and daily life activities like hunting and farming. Many more mosaics from the 5th to the 7th centuries can be found all over Madaba.

The University of Toronto has been digging in Madaba since 1996. They found a big wall built a long time ago and the remains of an old house.

In 2010, near Madaba, a very old temple was found with small statues and special clay cups used in old religious ceremonies.

In Khirbat Ataruz

Khirbat Ataruz, also called Ataroth, is a place mentioned in old writings. It has very old carvings written in the Moabite language.

Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration

The Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration started in 1992 as a school for learning about mosaics. It was helped by the Italian government. In 2007, it became a special school after high school, offering training in making and fixing mosaics. The institute is located between the Madaba Visitors Center and the Madaba Archaeological Park.

Climate

Madaba has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Most of the rain comes during the winter. The average temperature there is about 16.4 °C (61.5 °F). Each year, around 346 mm (13.62 in) of rain falls in the area.

Points of interest

Madaba is famous for its beautiful Byzantine mosaics, which attract many visitors. These mosaics are found on the floors of old houses and churches, showing art from long ago.

Not far from Madaba are the Ma'in Hot Springs, warm mineral waters that people have visited for years. Another interesting place nearby is Umm ar-Rasas, which started as a Roman camp and grew into a town with huge, well-preserved mosaics.

Visitors can also see the Church of the Apostles, with ruins from the year 578 CE. It features a special mosaic showing a woman in the sea with sea creatures and animals around her.

Local women from the Bani Hamida tribe began making brightly colored woven items in 1985, using traditional methods. The American University of Madaba opened in 2011 on a large campus outside the city.

International relations

Main article: List of twin towns and sister cities in Jordan

Twin towns – sister cities

Madaba has friendly connections with other cities around the world. It is twinned with:

• Bethlehem, Palestine
• Denton, Texas, United States