Madaba & Nebo
Jordan’s vast wealth of historical and biblical sites make the country a most enchanting land. Its biblical treasure is most evident in Madaba, only an hour’s drive from Amman.” The City of Mosaics,” Madaba boasts the magnificent, vivid, sixth- century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites, originally made from more than two million small square colored stones.
The map is proudly displayed on the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, built in 1896. Hundreds of other exceptional mosaics representing plants and animals everyday pursuits of hunting and farming, as well as scenes from Greco – Roman mythology are scattered throughout Madaba’s old homes and churches, some of which are the oldest in the region and still in use. But this land of mosaics is still not discovered. The work of mosaic excavation and conservation is ongoing as many more riches are still awaiting to be discovered. Today, Madaba is also famous for the hand – woven rugs made of modern and traditional colors and designs in small street shops by Madaba’s inhabitants. Situated some 10 kilometers from Madaba, and at an altitude of about 800 meters above sea level, is Mount Nebo,
the presumed site of Moses’ tomb and where he is thought to have viewed the Promised Land. The hilltop of Mount Nebo indeed commands a spectacular, breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem