St. George's Church

St. George's Church

Introduction: The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is located in the city of Madaba and was originally built in the 5th century AD and rebuilt in 1896. On the floor of the church lies Madaba’s most precious mosaic artwork: the oldest existing map of the Middle East. This map is 25 meters long and 5 meters wide, made up of two million colored stone pieces. Since the map places Jerusalem at its center, it is commonly referred to as the Palestine Map. The map was completed around the year 560 AD and covers a vast area from Egypt to Lebanon. It accurately depicts the locations and geographical features of ancient cities such as Jerusalem and Alexandria in Palestine and Egypt, as well as rivers and seas, from the 6th century. It clearly marks no fewer than 150 sites and even vividly illustrates fish swimming away from the Dead Sea, indicating that they do not enter it. Although partially damaged, the map still holds significant archaeological value, providing insights into the region during the first centuries of Christianity’s introduction. Archaeological excavations based on the geographical locations indicated on the map have led to many major discoveries. The uniqueness of this work lies in its clever combination of geographical notation and religious symbolism. Greek inscriptions not only identify locations but also introduce notable figures and related historical events. Admission/Open Hours: 1 Jordanian Dinar. Open Hours: Due to morning mass, the church opens after 10:00 AM and is closed on Fridays.

Amman, Jordan