Madaba is one of the centres of Jordanian Christianity, a heritage that dates back to the very early days of the religion. Before that, and another tradition that has lasted through the years, it was a major centre for mosaics. Many of the mosaic floors from Classical sites throughout Jordan, Syria and Israel were probably laid by artists who had learnt their trade in Madaba. Several archaeological sites and museums, including the Archaeological Park, are dotted across this modern city and boast stunning mosaics and artefacts from the Classical period, and a walking tour of the town is a great way to appreciate these. The major draw of Madaba combines Christianity and mosaics on the floor of the Church of St George, where there is a famous mosaic map from the 6th Century AD depicting the Holy Land in wonderful detail.
