Brazen Serpent Monument | Madaba

Information

Landmark: Brazen Serpent Monument
City: Madaba
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Brazen Serpent Monument, Madaba, Jordan, Asia

The Brazen Serpent Monument is a 20th-century bronze sculpture situated on the western terrace of the Memorial Church of Moses atop Mount Nebo, Jordan. It serves as a Christological symbol, merging the biblical account of Moses’ bronze serpent with the crucifixion of Jesus.

Visual Characteristics

The monument is a tall, slender vertical staff made of iron and copper, featuring a serpent entwined around a cross-like structure. The sculpture is oxidized to a dark brown and greenish patina. The top of the staff forms a stylized cross with the serpent's head looped to suggest the bowed head of a crucified figure. It stands on a stone pedestal overlooking the Jordan Valley.

Location & Access Logistics

The monument is located at the summit of Mount Nebo (Siyagha), approximately 9 kilometers west of Madaba city center via the Mount Nebo Road. Access is through the main entrance of the Franciscan monastery complex. Visitors arrive via private car or taxi from Madaba (15 minutes) or Amman (45 minutes). Paved, wheelchair-accessible paths lead from the ticket office to the viewing terrace where the sculpture is situated.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The sculpture was created by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni and installed in 1973. It was commissioned to provide a visual landmark for pilgrims visiting the site. The design is based on the biblical Book of Numbers (21:4–9), where Moses raised a bronze serpent on a pole to heal Israelites from snake bites, and the Gospel of John (3:14), which draws a parallel between that event and the lifting up of the Son of Man.

Key Highlights & Activities

The primary activity is viewing the sculpture in tandem with the panoramic vista of the Dead Sea, Jericho, and the Judean hills. Visitors utilize the nearby stone directional plaque to identify regional landmarks visible from the terrace. Photography of the monument against the backdrop of the Jordan Rift Valley is a standard practice for visitors.

Infrastructure & Amenities

As part of the Mount Nebo sanctuary, the monument is served by a visitor center, clean restrooms, and a cafeteria. The entire terrace area is paved and level. Strong 4G and 5G cellular signals are available. The site is managed by the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, and a small entrance fee (approx. 3 JOD) covers access to the monument, church, and museum.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for photography is during the "golden hour" before sunset when the sun illuminates the western face of the monument. For the clearest views of the Holy Land across the valley, early morning hours are recommended before heat haze develops. The site is open daily, typically from 08:00 to 18:00 in summer and until 16:00 in winter.

Facts & Legends

The monument's design is intentionally ambiguous; the serpentine curves are engineered to resemble the letter "S" for salvation while simultaneously forming the cross. A local "secret" tip is to look for the small cross-shaped openings in the metalwork that create unique shadow patterns on the stone base during specific times of the day.