Mosaics and Biblical Jordan
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Mosaics and Biblical Jordan |
Mosaic of a dog chasing a haze, Madaba
| Mosaics in Jordan |
| "As Christianity was the
dominant religion in Jordan from the late 4th century to the early 7th,
there are a number of sites of relevance to Christians, as well as to
others. Almost 100 places in Jordan are mentioned in the Bible, but often
with different names" (LP). From the Dead Sea to East Jerusalem (now
in the West Bank) and Mount Nebo across from Jericho where Moses died.
Unlike mosaics found in other countries, mosaics in Jordan where made for
the floor, and were hardy enough to withstand anything except massive
earthquakes. So if the walls of many churches now no longer exist, the
mosaics that covered their floors have remained.
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A masterpiece of geometrical design, Church of the Virgin Mary, Madaba
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| Madaba |
| We started our journey
through "Biblical" Jordan in Madaba, famous since antiquity for
its mosaics. Madaba is home to St Georges Church where in 1884 a stunning
mosaic was unearthed. "The mosaic is a clear map with 157 captions
(all in Greek) of all major biblical sites from Lebanon to Egypt, and down
to the Mediterranean - including obvious references to the Nile River,
Dead Sea and, in the middle, Jerusalem and the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre." Of the original 25 by 6 meters and the 2 million pieces
it contained, only a third remains but it is magnificent.
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A detail of the "Mosaic Map" picturing the city of Jerusalem, St George Church, Madaba
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The mosaic in Church of the Apostles in Madaba is one of the few instances where the mosaic builder put his name of his work. The caretaker took a wet broom and the mosaic became a riot of colours !
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| Mt Nebo |
| After a morning spent in
Madaba, we headed for Mount Nebo, the most revered Christian site in
Jordan. Mount Nebo is where Moses apparently saw the Promised Land and
later died and was buried. The views from the plateau are sweeping and we
decided to stop for a picnic.
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A picnic with a view, overlooking Israel and the Jordan Valley
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| Go up into ... Mount Nebo
in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the Land I am giving the
Israelites as their own possession. There on the mountain that you have
climbed you will die.
(Deuteronomy, 32,49-50). Mount Nebo is home to the Moses Memorial Church
and is Jordan's prime pilgrimage destination.
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Inside the Moses Memorial Church (left & right pictures), the bronze cross overlooking the "Promised Land" (centre)
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| That evening we headed for
Mukawir (Machaerus, where John the Baptist was beheaded) perched on a 700
m hill overlooking the Dead Sea. There are the ruins of the castle
of Herod the Great. We were offered tea by the caretaker and decided to
stop for the night.
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Sunset over the Dead Sea, Mukawir, Central Jordan
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On our way in Southern Jordan
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We are doing well !
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| Our journey through Jordan | Back to Trip page | Petra |
