St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church | Madaba

Information

Landmark: St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church
City: Madaba
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, Madaba, Jordan, Asia

St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church is a 19th-century place of worship located in central Madaba, Jordan. It is internationally recognized for housing the Madaba Map, the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land, dating to the 6th century AD.

Visual Characteristics

The current structure is a basilican-style church built from local limestone with a red-tiled roof. Inside, the floor features the fragmented remains of a massive mosaic map, originally measuring 21 by 7 meters, composed of approximately two million colored stone tesserae. The artwork uses distinct shades of red, yellow, and blue to depict geographical features, including the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, and the walled city of Jerusalem.

Location & Access Logistics

The church is located at 30 King Talal Street, approximately 30 kilometers south of Amman. It is accessible via the Airport Road or the historic Kings Highway. Most visitors arrive by private tour bus or taxi, utilizing nearby public parking lots in the Madaba city center. The site is a 5-minute walk from the Madaba Visitors Center.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The present church was constructed in 1896 atop the foundations of a 6th-century Byzantine ecclesiastical structure. The Madaba Map was rediscovered during the building's construction. The original Byzantine church was destroyed during the 749 AD earthquake, which inadvertently protected the floor mosaics beneath layers of debris until their 19th-century excavation.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view the remaining 16 by 5-meter section of the mosaic map, which includes the earliest known representation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Photographic displays along the interior walls provide a complete reconstruction of the map for comparative study. Regular Orthodox liturgical services are still conducted in the nave.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The church complex includes a ticket office, a small courtyard, and a visitor information center. Public restrooms are located nearby in the municipal area. 4G and 5G cellular coverage is strong throughout the site. The surrounding streets are densely packed with artisan shops, cafes, and souvenir vendors specializing in modern mosaic reproductions.

Best Time to Visit

The church is open daily, though visiting hours are restricted on Friday mornings and Sunday mornings due to religious services. Optimal lighting for viewing the mosaic occurs during mid-morning when natural light enters through the clerestory windows. Peak tourist season is during the spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) months.

Facts & Legends

The Madaba Map is so accurate that it was used by 20th-century archaeologists to locate previously lost historical sites mentioned in the Bible. A local legend states that the mosaic was only saved from total destruction because the 19th-century builders recognized the depiction of the Jordan River and adjusted their construction plans to preserve the floor.