Overview:

The Tal Mar Elyas Church is an Orthodox Christian Church located in the city of Madaba, Jordan. It is a large basilica built in the 4th century AD and is the oldest surviving church in Jordan. The name Tal Mar Elyas is derived from the Greek phrase, "House of Elijah", referring to the prophet Elijah, as it was believed that Elijah's prophecy was fulfilled in the area. The church is famous for its 6th century Byzantine mosaics, which depict various stories from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The mosaics cover an area of approximately 1,800 square meters and are considered to be some of the finest examples of Byzantine mosaic art in the world. The church is open to the public and admission is free. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Jordan
Prominent Features:

1. Ancient Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land: The Church of Tal Mar Elyas is home to a 6th-century mosaic map depicting the holy sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth and other biblical sites. 2. Beautiful architecture: The church consists of two levels and is a beautiful example of Byzantine and Crusader architecture. 3. Onsite museum: There is an onsite museum full of historical artifacts and archaeological finds. 4. Umayyad histories: The church also contains an ancient wall inscription detailing the Umayyad Caliph Muawiyah's conquests in the East. 5. Beautiful paintings: The church's interior is adorned with beautiful paintings, including Archangel Michael depicted in gold leaf. This national monument of Jordan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Tal Mar Elyas Church is located in Madaba, Jordan and dates back as far as the 5th century AD. It is believed to have been built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, who built various churches throughout the Middle East. The church is dedicated to John the Baptist and is best known for its sixth-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, known as the Madaba Map. The mosaic map is one of the oldest surviving maps of the Holy Land and gives great insight into the land of ancient Palestine. The map depicts Jerusalem and other holy sites including Bethlehem and Jordan River. It also shows the holy cities of Jericho, Hebron, and Gaza. The map was originally composed of more than two million pieces of colored marble and stone. Today, the mosaic map is preserved and can be accessed for tours. In 1994, the Jordanian Department of Antiquities undertook a major restoration project of the map. Tal Mar Elyas Church is also home to a museum that contains artifacts from the church’s history. These include ancient manuscripts, coins, and mosaics. There is also a crypt located beneath the church with several tombs from the late 4th century. Despite being significantly damaged by an earthquake in the 7th century, Tal Mar Elyas Church continues to be a major pilgrimage site for Christians throughout the world. The church is frequented by tourists visiting Madaba, Jordan and by locals who sometimes hold festivals and events in its courtyard. Tal Mar Elyas Church is an important landmark of Christianity in the region and is dedicated to preserving the history of early Christianity in the Holy Land. You must visit one of these historical places in Jordan on your Jordan tour

Interesting facts:

1. Tal Mar Elyas Church, also known as Madaba Church, is a Greek Orthodox church located in Madaba, Jordan. 2. The present building of the church is a reconstruction of the original church built in AD 531. 3. The church is famous for the 6th century mosaic floor which is said to be the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land. 4. The mosaic depicts a map of the Middle East which shows Jerusalem and some of the pilgrimage sites in Palestine. 5. The mosaic floor of the church also includes an ornamental depiction of fishes and floral motifs. 6. In the 19th century, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem restored and reconstructed the church building. 7. Apart from the mosaic floor, the reconstructed church includes beautiful ornamental frescos and oil paintings on the walls and ceiling depicting various biblical scenes. 8. In 1933, the Tal Mar Elyas Church was proclaimed a protected ancient monument by the Jordanian government. 9. The church has the distinction of being the first distinctive religious monument to be safeguarded in the country. Visit one of the famous monuments of Jordan with your friends and family.