Burnt Palace | Madaba

The Burnt Palace (Al-Qasr Al-Muhtariq) is a 6th-century Byzantine secular residence located in the western section of the Madaba-archaeological-park_madaba" class="underline">Madaba Archaeological Park in Madaba, Jordan. It is specifically identified as a private mansion that belonged to an elite family during the late Byzantine and early Umayyad periods.

Visual Characteristics

The structure is a large villa complex featuring a central stone-paved courtyard flanked by east and west wings. The floors are decorated with high-quality mosaic pavements depicting various figurative scenes, including a lion attacking a bull and a medallion of the goddess Tyche (the personification of Fortune and Victory). The ruins still exhibit blackened stones and a distinct layer of ash and charcoal, resulting from the catastrophic fire that destroyed the building.

Location & Access Logistics

The palace is situated on the north side of the Roman Street within the Madaba Archaeological Park (II), approximately 150 meters from St. George’s Church. Access is typically through the park's entrance on King Talal Street. The site is part of the Madaba central historic district and is within walking distance of the Madaba Visitors Center. Admission is usually covered by a unified ticket for the Archaeological Park.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed in the 6th century AD, the palace served as a luxurious residence for approximately 200 years. It was destroyed by a massive fire in the mid-8th century, likely associated with the 749 AD earthquake that devastated the region. The thick layer of ash preserved the floor mosaics until their rediscovery in 1905 in the courtyard of a private home. Formal excavations and conservation were led by ACOR and the Department of Antiquities starting in the 1980s.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can observe the vivid mosaic panels in the side rooms, which represent the peak of the Madaba Mosaic School's craftsmanship. Significant panels include a hunter piercing a bear and pastoral scenes involving stags and gazelles. Directly across the Roman street from the palace is the Church of the Martyrs (Al-Khadir), which is often included in the same tour segment.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site is protected by modern shelters designed to prevent environmental degradation of the mosaics. Basic signage and stone-paved pathways are present for navigation. Extensive amenities such as restrooms, cafes, and handicraft shops are located immediately outside the park boundaries on the "Tourist Street" (Hussein bin Ali Street). 4G/5G cellular signals are consistent throughout the park.

Best Time to Visit

The palace follows the Archaeological Park's operating hours, generally 08:00 to 18:00 daily (closing earlier on Fridays and Saturdays). Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most favorable temperatures for exploring the open-air ruins. Early morning or late afternoon visits provide the best lighting for photographing the mosaic details without harsh shadows.

Facts & Legends

The site earned its name because archaeologists found the mosaics buried under a layer of ash so thick it suggested the building's wooden roof and interior furnishings were entirely consumed by fire. Unlike the numerous religious sites in Madaba, the Burnt Palace is one of the few well-preserved examples of secular domestic luxury from the late Byzantine period, providing insight into the lifestyle of the city's ancient aristocracy.

Nearby Landmarks

Madaba Archaeological Park (I) – <0.1km East

Church of the Martyrs – <0.1km South

St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church – 0.2km East

Madaba Archaeological Museum – 0.3km South

Madaba Visitors Center – 0.3km North

Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist – 0.3km South