Church of the Apostles | Madaba

The Church of the Apostles is a Byzantine-era ecclesiastical ruin situated at the southern entrance of Madaba, Jordan. It is a three-aisled basilica notable for containing some of the most expansive and intact floor mosaics in the Levant region.

Visual Characteristics

The site consists of a rectangular stone foundation measuring approximately 34 by 18 meters, sheltered by a modern high-ceilinged protective structure. The interior floor is covered in tessellated pavement featuring birds, animals, and vegetation. The central medallion in the nave depicts Thalassa, a personification of the sea, rising from the water surrounded by fish and marine creatures, executed in shades of blue, grey, and terracotta.

Location & Access Logistics

The church is located on Al-Asha'irah Street, approximately 0.8 kilometers south of the St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church. It is positioned near the southern terminus of the Madaba city center's primary tourist corridor. Visitors can reach the site on foot from the city center or via car, with a dedicated parking area located directly in front of the site entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction was completed in 578 AD during the tenure of Bishop Sergius, as evidenced by a Greek inscription found at the site. The mosaics were executed by an artisan named Salaman, whose signature is preserved in the floor. The structure was forgotten following the 749 AD earthquake and remained buried until its rediscovery and excavation in 1902 by Father Giuseppe Manfredi.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can examine the Thalassa medallion, which serves as a rare example of a female personification in Byzantine church art. The two side chapels, dedicated to the Theotokos and Saint Elian, contain geometric mosaics and additional inscriptions. The site allows for close-range observation of the technical transitions between different mosaic workshops active in the 6th century.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility includes a ticket booth and a modern protective enclosure that provides shade for the entire archaeological site. Public restrooms are available on-site. There is reliable 4G/5G cellular coverage throughout the area. While there are no food vendors inside the gates, the site is within 200 meters of the central Madaba hospitality district.

Best Time to Visit

The church is open daily during daylight hours, typically 09:00 to 17:00. Morning visits provide the best lighting for viewing the details of the mosaics through the building's windows. The site experiences lower visitor traffic than the central Madaba Map church, making it suitable for architectural study at any time of day.

Facts & Legends

A Greek inscription in the mosaic specifically dates the completion of the church to the "year 473 of the province," which corresponds to 578 AD in the Roman calendar. The personification of the sea, Thalassa, is depicted wearing a crown of lobster claws and holding a rudder, a distinct pagan mythological motif incorporated into a Christian place of worship.

Nearby Landmarks

Madaba Archaeological Park – 0.6km North

St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church – 0.8km North

Shrine of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist – 0.5km Northwest

Madaba Archaeological Museum – 0.4km Northwest

The Burnt Palace – 0.7km North