“It extended from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the middle of the gorge, and included the whole plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon” — Joshua 13:9
Known in the Old Testament as Medeba, this ancient town of the Jordanian Plateau, was resettled by Christian Arab tribes-people from the Karak area in 1880 A.D. Today Christians tours to Jordan will find it inhabited by both Christians and Muslims alike. Not surprisingly Madaba is home to a great deal of antiquities, many of which can be seen in the Madaba Archaeological Museum, the Mosaic School of Madaba, and Madaba Archaeological Park.
The Holy destination of Madaba has a long history mentioned in the Bible, including the book of Joshua that mentions Madaba and its neighbouring areas were assigned to Jacob's eldest son with Leah, Reuben: “It extended from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the middle of the gorge, and included the whole plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon”- Joshua 13:9
See the famed sixth-century “Madaba Map,” the oldest surviving mosaic map of the Holy Land. You will view this stunning world heritage map on the floor of the Orthodox Church of St. George in Madaba . This map was originally part of the floor of a Byzantine church, built during the reign of emperor Justinian, AD 527-565. It is the oldest map of the Holy Land that is still extant. Five other Byzantine churches have been discovered in Madaba, all with nice mosaics. This has led to Madaba’s designation as “the city of mosaics.”
Here is a list of holy attractions not to be missed in Madaba:
