Madaba Archaeological Park Review

In 1991, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Jordan, the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated a project to create an archaeological park in the heart of Madaba. The park includes a well-preserved stretch of a late Roman street and buildings dating from the Roman, Byzantine, and early Islamic periods and the early 20th century. The goals of the park project were to explore the history of Madaba, to protect its archaeological heritage from destruction, and to revitalize downtown Madaba.The need to preserve Madaba’s rich heritage became acute during the building boom of the 1970s and 1980s. The value of having an archaeological park in the city center had been shown by the extensive excavations of Michele Piccirillo, who at that time was preparing a major ACOR publication, The Mosaics of Jordan (1993). For the Madaba Archaeological Park Project, ACOR played a pivotal role in excavating, conserving, and creating shelters over multiple archaeological sites, in order to preserve them and make them accessible to visitors.

People who come to Madaba, especially tour groups, often only go to St. George's Church to see the mosaic map, and ignore it. In fact, this archaeological park is the treasure of Madaba. Indoors and outdoors, the artifacts excavated from the archaeological site of Madaba are displayed, and the interior parts are basically completely restored to the original excavated at the time. This is an important place not to be missed by historical lovers.

1. Located in the centre of Midiba, it is 5 minutes'walk from the station; 2. There is another name here, the Church of the Virgin Mary, which is also famous for its exquisite mosaic paintings. The treasure of the town garden is Hippolytus Hall; 3. Free visit with Jordanpass.

The mosaic floor of Notre Dame's Church in the Archaeological Park is the highlight. It is said that it was found under the floor of a family in 1887. The corridor above it can overlook the whole pattern very well.

The transportation is convenient, the environment is very good, the whole family like it.