Madaba Governorate

Plateau, valleys and views

Madaba sits on a wide plateau at around 750 metres above sea level, covered with wheat and barley fields that turn green in winter and gold in early summer. To the west, the plateau breaks into steep valleys that fall more than a thousand metres to the shore of the Dead Sea, creating some of the most dramatic views in Jordan. In the south, the governorate reaches the northern rim of the great Wadi Mujib canyon. Hot springs emerge where the valleys cut deep into the rock, most famously at Hammamat Ma'in.

Madaba and its towns

Madaba is a friendly market town with a long history of Christian and Muslim families living side by side. Its centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, with churches, small museums, mosaic workshops and traditional shops. Because it lies only about 25 to 30 minutes from Queen Alia International Airport, many travellers spend their first or last night here. Other towns in the governorate include Dhiban, on the edge of Wadi Mujib, and Ma'in, set in farmland above the valley of the hot springs.

Mosaics, Mount Nebo and ancient sites

The Madaba Map, a sixth-century mosaic on the floor of St George's Church, shows the lands of the Bible from Lebanon to Egypt, with a detailed picture of Jerusalem at its centre. The Archaeological Park and the Church of the Apostles preserve many more mosaics. Mount Nebo, west of the town, is honoured as the place from which Moses saw the Promised Land, and its memorial church contains beautiful mosaic floors. At Mukawir, the hilltop fortress of Machaerus is linked with the death of John the Baptist, and at Dhiban the famous Mesha Stele was found in 1868.

Hot springs and outdoor life

Hammamat Ma'in is a deep valley where hot water pours over the cliffs in waterfalls and collects in pools, surrounded by rocks coloured by minerals. The water is rich in minerals and has long been used for bathing. The road from Madaba down to the Dead Sea passes viewpoints over the Jordan Valley, and the King's Highway south crosses Wadi Mujib on a winding road with spectacular views of the canyon. Walkers can explore the hills around Mount Nebo and Mukawir, which are especially beautiful in spring.

Crafts, daily life and food

Mosaic making is a living craft in Madaba. Workshops in and around the town produce new mosaics using traditional methods, and visitors can watch artisans cut and set small pieces of stone. Villages near Mukawir are known for weaving colourful rugs on traditional looms. Local farms grow wheat, olives and vegetables, and restaurants in Madaba serve Jordanian dishes such as mansaf, maqluba and mezze, sometimes in restored old houses. Church bells on Sunday mornings and the call to prayer on Fridays are both part of the town's weekly rhythm.

Highlights

• 1The Madaba Map in St George's Church
• 2Madaba Archaeological Park
• 3Mount Nebo and the Memorial of Moses
• 4The hot waterfalls of Hammamat Ma'in
• 5Mukawir, ancient Machaerus
• 6The Wadi Mujib viewpoint on the King's Highway
• 7Mosaic workshops in Madaba

Frequently asked questions