Map of the ancient holy land in the world

This Christmas you going?
It would be nice if the opportunity once to the address located in the Holy Land. Located not far from Jerusalem, which is regarded as the Holy Land, Madaba the city as equally important role as the most important center of Christianity in the kingdom of Jordan. At this place, you can witness the oldest map of holy land, which is made up of millions of colors on the stone floor an old church.

2 million stones inlaid into the map

It is hard to imagine in a place where English speakers from the mosques calling the faithful to prayer on Friday may be the same again in parallel with the bell from the Christian church on Sunday a week .

In Madaba, Muslims account for 2 / 3, while the number of Christians who follow up the rest.

"The Greek Orthodox Church of St. George", also known known as the "Church of the map" is an address not to be missed if you have the opportunity to visit city of Madaba.

 Outside the "Church of the map"

Located between land known as the "City of Mosaics Art", the church is marking son with the oldest map of the Holy Land on the mosaic floor. This church was built in 1896 AD, based on what remains of a church that existed before the 6th century.

Just as you step into another church, take a pause to look at the Holy Land maps that ancient artists have put a lot of enthusiasm on the ground to make up the church.

 A visitor is to locate places on maps in the Holy Land a winter morning.

With the 2 million multi-colored stone, the map is the reproduction of vivid holy land with hills, valleys, villages, towns, rivers ...

In the center image map is Jerusalem stone, you might find around a series of other sites of the holy land appeared as Jordan, Palestine, Nile River Delta ...

The original maps have size 15.6 x 6m, 94 square meters wide, but so far only 1 / 3 is kept intact as the original.

Sketch map of the original stone.

Explained for a large map so the floor is built on a Christian church, many scholars argue that because it can guide customers to move from place to place in the holy land.

Unlike the rock art of war compound Mosaics in many other countries, making a stone mosaic at Madaba mainly done on the floor, which requires high-level skills. This way, the product is very solid reinforcement, and destroyed by the earthquake.

Not only fascinated by tourist map ancient church is a place containing numerous sophisticated stone mosaic shows several stages in the life of Jesus, scene queens with 12 apostles, the Lord with faith Mary, Jesus was crucified ...

 The painting depicting Jesus met the dwarf city of Jericho. What surprise me is to do a mosaic stone requires the efforts of many people, sifted as many months or years. Because of this characteristic, usually mosaic stone not to name the author.

Sacred mountain Nebo

How where the church with stone mosaic map is about 10 km, you should not miss the opportunity to climb Mount Nebo, because from here, you can monitor your eyes on the many landmarks in the area Holy land.

 Index direction and distance from Mount Nebo to the other sites in the Holy Land.

Higher than 800m above sea level, standing on Mount Nebo, do not forget to take time to admire the breathtaking vistas of the mountains in the sunny straw yellow sand bottom. From here you can see so far as the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, as well as the roof of undulating land in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

 The scene looked down from the side of Mount Nebo

According to legend, the prophet Moses was buried on this mountain by God himself. On Mount Nebo church also has a small memorial of this prophet, the church floor is a large painting inlaid stone. However, at the time of this writing (May 12/2011) churches being closed to repair, though tourists still admire the art works of ancient stone mosaic that was created on the church floor .

 Floor memorial church prophet "Moses".

The Pope also visited the famous Mount Nebo. In 2000, Pope John Paul II came in pilgrimage to the Holy sites in the area. Pope planted an olive tree outside the church, meaning olive is a symbol of peace. 9 years later in 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited the mountain and also a sermon before 20 thousand devout believers, with the face towards the holy Jerusalem.

Quiet moments between the church kept the oldest map of the world

How to Madaba and Mount Nebo?

- From the capital, Amman, Jordan: You can take a taxi or bus to Madaba, the trip was short, usually only half an hour. Most hotels in Amman can arrange a tour for you to highlight locations such as Madaba, Mount Nebo, the Dead Sea for JD 15 (equivalent to $ 22), not including entrance fees.

- From the Wadi Musa (where you can visit the famous city of Petra): you can pick up bus and Minibus with JD5 (approximately 7.5 U.S. dollars) to Amman and then go in that order, or purchase a tour with from JD25-30 ($ 38-45). If you want to accomplish day trip, the best way is to buy or hire a taxi tour.

- From Cairo, Egypt: you can fly from Cairo, Egypt to the capital, Amman, Jordan, or travel by land and water: From Cairo, you buy a bus ticket to Nuweiba, Egypt, and then buy tickets ship's Maritime AB (fares from $ 65-75/nguoi/chieu) to Aqaba, Jordan. From here, you can catch bus to Wadi Musa take about 2 hours, or go straight to Amman, the trip lasted 4 hours, fare about JD 7.5 ($ 11).