Madaba Archaeological Park | Madaba

Madaba Archaeological Park is an open-air museum located in the heart of the historic city of Madaba, Jordan. It preserves a concentrated collection of Byzantine mosaics, Roman remains, and Ottoman-era structures within a protected archaeological zone.

Visual Characteristics

The park features a combination of exposed outdoor excavations and sheltered galleries housed beneath modern protective roofs. It contains a well-preserved section of a paved Roman street (the decumanus), alongside ruins of several Byzantine churches. The site is characterized by extensive floor mosaics featuring intricate geometric patterns, mythological figures, and depictions of regional flora and fauna in shades of terracotta, ochre, and basalt.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is situated at 324 King Talal Street in the center of Madaba. It is located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of Amman and 20 kilometers from Queen Alia International Airport. Most visitors arrive via the Kings Highway or the Airport Road. Pedestrian access is primary within the city center; parking is available in several public lots within a 300-meter radius of the main entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The park was officially established in 1995 to consolidate several archaeological sites discovered during urban development. It encompasses the ruins of the Church of the Prophet Elias (built 607 AD), the Virgin Mary Church (6th century), and the Hippolytus Hall. These structures were built atop earlier Roman foundations and were later incorporated into 19th-century Ottoman residential villas.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can walk along the original 2nd-century Roman road and view the "Mosaic of the Seasons" found in the Hippolytus Hall. The site also houses the Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration, where students can be seen practicing traditional mosaic techniques. Guided circuits provide technical details on the preservation of the 6th-century ecclesiastical floor plans.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The facility includes a visitor reception office, public restrooms, and shaded benches distributed near the archaeological pits. A designated 4G/5G cellular signal is available throughout the park. While no food vendors operate inside the gates, the park is surrounded by the city's central commercial district, which contains numerous cafes and restaurants.

Best Time to Visit

Optimal viewing for the outdoor mosaics occurs in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the harsh glare of direct midday sun. The park is open year-round, with the most comfortable temperatures for exploration occurring from March to May and September to November. High-season crowds are typically lower during weekday mornings.

Facts & Legends

The park contains the "Burnt Palace," a 6th-century private residence that was destroyed by fire during the massive earthquake of 749 AD. The ash layer from the fire inadvertently preserved the floor mosaics in remarkably high detail, providing a "frozen" snapshot of Byzantine domestic luxury.

Nearby Landmarks

St. George's Greek Orthodox Church (Madaba Map) – 0.2km North

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

Madaba Archaeological Museum – 0.4km Southwest

Church of the Apostles – 0.6km South

The Burnt Palace – 0.1km Northwest