This is a unique mosaic map of the Holy Land dating from 6th century. It is in St Georges church. It is interesting to try and work out the places shown. For some reason, many years ago, the pillars of a"new" church were placed on parts of the map which is a pity.

Madaba , famous for having a variety of immaculate Byzantine mosaics depicting a range of scenes with the most famous being the large 6th century mosaic map, said to contain the oldest surviving original cartographic depiction of the Holy Land and especially Jerusalem. The guides are not allowed to explain you history inside so every tour stops outside in front of big map to hear explanation and than goes inside for the visit and picture time. Approximately 15-30 minutes stop. Note that on the left side there is a bit of map covered by carpet that a lot of people miss.

An interesting and historically important 6th Century mosaic set into the floor of St. George's church in downtown Madaba. Two descriptive panels on the church exterior are used by guides to describe what will be seen inside the church, and if you haven't booked a tour where these panels will be used to describe the map, then you might get lucky to overhear someone else's talk. Otherwise, do a quick online search for the map so that you have some sense of what you are seeing. The map is set into the floor in front of you, and since it is found on two sides of a column holding up the roof, it is challenging to take photos that give a sense of its scale. Allow about 20 minutes.

We went as part of a tour. There was a room outside St George's where an explanation can be given this us because the map is in a working church where silence is required. The map is interesting and certainly a treasure from the ancient world . Remember to dress respectfully for it is in a Greek Orthodox Church. There is a clean toilet in the court yard and remember to take a coin for the lady at the door.

We arrived just before opening and the place was very busy, awaiting the end of the Greek Orthodox service inside. Once inside, the maps were quite impressive as were the various mosaic portraits. There was an explanatory board in the courtyard outside which helped you make sense of what to expect inside. The actual map was an interesting mosaic on which names of many settlements were in ancient Greek tile fragments. It was a bit chaotic when it opened, we should have waited 15 minutes for the initial surge of people to leave. Much more ordered after 15 minutes. There is a small crypt area beyond the map in the right hand corner, down a few steps.

The church is interesting in itself, it’s not often possible to see inside an Orthodox Church. At the ticket office there’s an explanatory display and an attendant who will assist while you take a seat. The mosaic is quite remarkable considering that it stretches from wall to wall. Well worth seeing.

This historical treasure is the oldest mosaic of the holy land. It's housed in an orthodox church in Madaba, a city with a large Christian population. If you'd like learn about the map in detail, it's best to hire a guide. Otherwise its very hard to make out what's what on the map. You're allowed to take photos, but you'll be jostling for space to take a photo during the tourist high season.

This has to be seen to be believed as it is from the 6th century. What knowledge to make a map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land so accurate that long ago. Even a non religious person will be moved by the mosaics inside this small church.

The Map of Madaba or the Mosaic Map of Madaba is part of a floor mosaic in the Early Byzantine Church of St. George in Madaba. It dates from the 6th century BC and is the oldest known geographical floor mosaic in history. Measuring about 15 metres by 5 metres. it is a combination of two million colored stone, glass and ceramic tiles and shows the region from Lebanon in the north to Egypt in the south and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Arabian Desert in the east. The remarkable thing about the map, however, is not its age, but rather its extreme accuracy and detail, with which it depicts the biblical world in at least eight different colors. Considered one of the oldest surviving maps of the Holy Land, it is a great example of early cartography, and remains a valuable source for researchers and historians to this day. In a room outside St. George's Church, a reproduction of the map hangs on the wall, facilitating the understanding of the map of Madaba before looking at the real mosaic in the church. In the courtyard there is also an explanatory panel that helps in the understanding of the territory and the history of the region.

Great site to see. There is no parking so my driver had to drive around and around until my guide and I were finished. The map outside is very helpful. It was unfortunate that the site was being renovated while I was there so much of it inside the church was covered with plastic. Still worth going to so your guide can tell you all about what the map shows.