The Madaba Map

Madaba is an ancient settlement, and like many such places has had reincarnations during various civilisations and periods of religious dominance by different faiths. It is still home to many Jordanian Christians, who make up about 5% of the population.

The Madaba map was a floor mosaic measuring approximately 15m x 5.5m. It was originally created in the 6th century as a church floor and depicts a map of the Holy Land with Jerusalem, shown in some detail, at the centre. Iconoclasm in the 8th century resulted in obliteration of the faces of the River Jordan fishermen.

The mosaic was discovered in the 19th century during the construction of a new church on the site of the original. It was at this time that the mosaic was so badly damaged.

The Madaba area was, and still is, famous for its mosaic making, and examples of the skill can be found in many historic buildings as well as modern shops. The quality is not always the same in both!