Exploring Jordan and Egypt

Previous Day Prev P    
Next Day Next N    

Saturday, February 26, 2022 - Much of the day traveling north toward Amman. We stopped in Madaba to see the mosaic in the Byzantine church of St George. This was the only bad weather day we had on the trip - it was raining. We had brought rain jackets, but they were packed away when it was beautiful in Aqaba. So we put on cheap plastic raincoats provided on the bus and off we went into the storm to hike several blocks to the church.

egypt2022
This Mosaic Map is the oldest surviving depiction of the Holy Land during the 6th century.
egypt2022
This is the depiction of Jerusalem in the center top.

The mosaic contains the earliest extant representation of Byzantine Jerusalem, labeled the "Holy City." The map provides important details about its 6th century landmarks, with the central colonnaded street, and the church of the Holy Sepulcher clearly visible. This map is one key in developing scholarly knowledge about the physical layout of Jerusalem after its destruction and rebuilding in 70 AD.
egypt2022
In this part of the mosaic there are fish going in and out of the Dead Sea - so it's waters must have been a viable place for fish centuries ago.
egypt2022
Sailing on the Dead Sea
egypt2022
In the parking lot for the visitors there is a large wall of mosaics with pictures from all over Jordan. Here is Umm Qais where we visited

The city has an unusual number of mosaics from the Byzantine period. It is surmised this is due to the building of the city around several Roman Temples and then churches.
egypt2022
Madaba is so well known for mosaics that they began a mosaic school to teach the art of making mosaic and the art of preserving the ancient art works.
egypt2022
We hustled through the only rain we would have on the trip to a nearby lunch spot, Hikayet Sitti - Food Basket, which was excellent.

Then a drive to Mt Nebo, an elevated ridge located in Jordan 2,330 feet above sea level. A view toward Amman from the top of Mt Nebo.
egypt2022
Mount Nebo is mentioned in the Bible as the place where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death. The view from the summit provides a panorama of the West Bank across the Jordan River valley. The Dead Sea is clearly visible.
egypt2022
There is a church on the top of the mountain. The church was first constructed in the second half of the 4th century to commemorate the place of the death of Moses. The church design follows a typical basilica pattern. It was enlarged in the late fifth century AD and rebuilt in AD 597.

Mosaics were discovered under the floor of the "newer" church.
egypt2022
Since 1984, the church has been able to have services and display the restored mosaic floors.
egypt2022
Using a pathway you can see the original floors many feet lower.
egypt2022
It is straightforward to see how Madaba has become known for the mosaics all over the city.
egypt2022
A serpentine cross sculpture atop Mount Nebo was created by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni. It is symbolic of the miracle of the bronze serpent invoked by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified (John 3:14).
egypt2022
One last mosaic as we were leaving the museum attached to the property.

We returned to our hotel in Amman and prepared to travel to Cairo for the next day.
Previous Day Prev P    
Next Day Next N    

Top
Top    
  Cal and VA | Adventures | Jordan/Egypt
        © Cal and Virginia Ann Holman
All Rights Reserved 2000-2025 Do not use without permission.
Privacy Policy - Terms
Modified last on 2025-10-19