Madaba & Mt. Nebo

Be marveled by the impressive mosaics of St. George Church in Madaba, followed by an excursion to Mount Nebo where Moses once viewed the Holy Land from.

Area

Dead Sea - Jordan Side

Type

History

Grade

Standard

Who

Adults

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

Half Day

Make an excursion to Madaba, where St. George's Greek Orthodox Church is known for the superb mosaic on the floor. Made during the 6th century AD, the mosaic depicts Holy Land pilgrimage scenes. The mosaic was discovered in 1885, when a flat area on a hill was chosen as the site for a new church. When the area was cleared for construction, a large mosaic was discovered. The mosaic once covered the floor of an ancient Byzantine church built around 560 AD. The original mosaic was originally an impressive 15.7 x 5.6 m, but the remains are about a quarter of this size. It displays all the major cities and features in the Holy Land with remarkable accuracy. Jerusalem, with all its major features, is the most important city and is placed in the centre of the map. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is clearly shown as well as the Cardo Maximus, a colonnaded main street that ran east/west through the centre of the Old City.There are 157 Greek captions that label most of the important towns and features of the Holy Land at that time. The mosaic also includes the Jordanian towns of Kerak and Madaba.

En route to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Holy Land that he was disallowed from crossing, On a clear day, you can see Mount Olive in Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the Jordan Valley, and the river. According to Christian and Jewish faiths, God himself buried Moses on Mount Nebo, although it is still contested amongst scholars as to whether this mountain is the same one that is referenced in the Torah. In Islam, it is believed Moses (Musa) was not buried on Mount Nebo, but instead his remains lie only a few kilometres away, close to the River Jordan. While a new church now stands on the mountain, the remains of a prior church and monastery were discovered in 1933. The church is believed to have been built in the latter part of the 4th century and is first referenced in Lady Aetheria's account of her pilgrimage in 394 AD. Mosaics from the ruins can still be seen at the site today.

Tours Featuring This Experience

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Exceptional Jordan and Israel

Enjoy the unparalleled highlights of Jordan and Israel on this action-packed itinerary. With thousands of years of captivating history and incredible landscapes, this tour offers plenty of diversity from discovering ancient cities, to travelling through stunning desert scenery, exploring significant religious sites, and floating in the Dead Sea. Packed with enriching and memorable experiences, the tour provides a real taste of the area’s natural and historic charms.

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Recommended Hotels Nearby

A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.

The Four Seasons Hotel Amman

The Four Seasons Amman occupies a fantastic location within Jordan's capital. This luxurious city hotel combines smart rooms, excellent service, and a great range of facilities, including a choice of restaurants and a pool, to ensure a comfortable stay.

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Fairmont Amman

The Fairmont Amman is the most glamorous hotel in Jordan's capital. The property features a range of fantastic facilities, as well as a diverse choice of restaurants. Although fairly corporate, this a great option for those seeking a luxury city hotel.

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Al Qasr Metropole

Al Qasr Metropole is a small, stylish hotel located in Amman's business district of Shmeisani with extensive views over the city from the upper floors. It has a warm atmosphere as it boasts some of the most popular restaurants in the city.

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Grand Hyatt Amman

The Grand Hyatt Amman is set in the heart of Jordan's capital city and is a comfortable hotel from which guests can base themselves for local sightseeing, both in Amman and further afield in Jerash. The Grand Hyatt has great facilities and service.

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Movenpick Resort Petra

The Movenpick is ideally located opposite the entrance to the Petra site. The hotel is a mixture of Arabic and international design. There are a number of facilities including a pool and choice of restaurants, providing a comfortable base for exploring.

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Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

The Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea is a luxurious and exclusive hotel overlooking the northern shores of the Dead Sea. It has its own private man-made beach on the Dead Sea, a number of swimming pools as well as the largest spa in the Middle East.

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Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea

A family-friendly resort, with feature swimming pools, a private beach and mud station, the Holiday Inn Resort is a comfortable place to relax and rejuvenate, offering the ideal opportunity for guests to experience the healing waters of the Dead Sea.

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Movenpick Resort and Spa Dead Sea

The Movenpick Dead Sea is located on the northern banks of the Dead Sea and is designed to replicate an Arabic Village, set amid lush green gardens. The resort has an award-winning spa, man-made beach and plenty of dining options.

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Petra Marriott

The Petra Marriott is located above Wadi Mousa; the town on the edge of the famous Petra site. Like many hotels in Jordan, the Petra Marriott is a little dated, however it does provide a perfectly comfortable base for adventures into the Rose-Red City.

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More Experiences in This Area

Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Visit the site where it is believed John the Baptist performed baptisms in the river Jordan. The site is referenced a number of times in the Bible, most notably as the baptism place of Jesus Christ. A handful of churches have been built in the area.

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Madaba

Known as the City of Mosaics, Madaba is most famous for the Church of St George which contains a superb mosaic map of the Holy Land dating from 560AD. There is an interesting visitors' centre which explains the map in more detail.

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Kerak Castle

Built in 1161 by the Crusaders, Kerak is a perfect example of mediaeval castle design. The castle is a dark maze of stone-vaulted halls and passageways. Its most famous occupant was Reynald de Chatillon, who had a reputation for treachery and brutality.

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Mt Nebo

According to the Bible, in the book of Deuteronomy, Mount Nebo is where the prophet Moses was shown the Promised Land for the Hebrew people. Today, the site contains a church and impressive mosaic collection.

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