Overview:

St. George's Church (Madaba) in Jordan is one of the oldest churches in the world. Located in the ancient city of Madaba, it is believed to have been built in the 6th century AD, by Byzantine Christians. The church is best known for its mosaic floor depicting the old Greek-style map of the Holy Land. The map is composed of two million pieces of stone and covers the entire floor of the church. The church is also renowned for its importance in early Christianity: it is believed to be the site of the first recorded Christian baptism, performed in the river near the church. It is also known to be the birthplace of St. John, the first Bishop of Madaba. The church is open to the public and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Jordan
Prominent Features:

1. The intricately designed mosaic floor of St. George’s Church (Madaba) in Jordan depicting a map of the Middle East region, comprising of various scenes from the bible. 2. The location of St. George’s Church (Madaba) in Jordan is very close to the River Jordan and it attracts many pilgrims and visitors all year round. 3. The centuries old Church of St. George (Madaba) is renowned for its religious significance, as it is believed to have been built upon the site where the Prophet Elijah went up to Heaven in a chariot of fire. 4. The walls of the Church are engrossed with religious images and colorfully painted stained-glass windows, courtesy of which the Church remains illuminated with splendid colors. 5. Sixteen columns divide the Church of St. George (Madaba) into three aisles, further lending to its graceful ambiance. 6. An intricately decorated Alabaster dome crowns the Church of St. George (Madaba) and further beautifies its splendorous aura. 7. It contains a majestic stone altar with a representation of the last supper in all its glory. 8. The Church of St. George (Madaba) retains several ancient Christian artifacts, including a source of holy water which is said to have special healing powers. This national monument of Jordan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

St George's Church is located in Madaba, Jordan. This church dates back to the 6th century A.D and is considered to be one of the oldest churches in Madaba. The church is dedicated to St George, a Christian martyr from the 4th century. The church was built on the foundations of an earlier 4th century basilica. Its construction involved re-using Byzantine architectural elements, including columns and columns capitals, from other sites in the region. In the 6th century, it was surrounded by a complex of buildings and four large courtyards. The church was severely damaged in the 7th century, and it is in the 8th century that most of the modern church was built. The present form of the church was complete by the 9th century. In the 12th century, the church was decorated with a series of beautiful mosaics including the mosaic map of the Holy Land with symbolic representations of various known places, which gives the church its fame. The church remains a center of pilgrimage today and is an important stop for visitors to see the ancient mosaics dating back to the Byzantine period and view the historical geography of the Holy Land. The church continues to host traditional religious celebrations, like the Feast of Pentecost, Easter, and Holy Saturday. You must visit one of these historical places in Jordan on your Jordan tour

Interesting facts:

1. St. George's Church is an Eastern Orthodox Basilica located in Madaba, Jordan, and is known for its detailed Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. 2. Built in the 6th century, the church is designed with a basilica style layout, consisting of a crossing hall, two aisles, and three apses. 3. The church is also known as the "Church of the Map" due to its 6th century mosaic map of the Middle East. 4. The detailed mosaic measures 12x7 meters (39x23 ft), including artwork of the burial sites of the Apostles. 5. St. George is the patron saint of Madaba and has been honored since the 4th century when a church was initially built in his honor. 6. After falling into disrepair, the church was rebuilt in the 19th century, and restoration work continues in the church as of 2021. 7. The site is now a popular tourist attraction for visitors interested in seeing its beautiful artwork. Visit one of the famous monuments of Jordan with your friends and family.