Madaba Mosaics

Mosaics were used to decorate the floors, walls

and ceilings of many buildings in Jordan, mainly
between the first and eighth centuries AD. These
colorful mosaics depicted scenes of everyday life,
religious stories or mythological themes. Madaba,
which is one of the oldest cities still existing, is
famous for the mosaic map of the Holy Land in
the Church of St George, made in the sixth
century and used to guide pilgrims making their
way between holy sites in the region. Today,
Madaba is home to the Madaba Institute for
Mosaic Art and Restoration, where local students
learn the art of making mosaics by hand, as well
as scientific preservation and restoration of the
country’s historic mosaic treasures. Madaba is a
hub for local mosaic artisans, workshops and
shops. Handmade mosaic crafts are very popular
as gifts and souvenirs and provide local artisans
with most of their income. Mosaic crafts range
from small items such as coasters and picture
frames, to large items such as wall hangings and
decorated furniture.

This is the replica of the famous Madaba “Tree of

Life”. The original can be found on the floor of the
Church of St Elijah in Madaba Archaeological
Park dating back to the Byzantine era. This framed
mosaic was hand-made in Madaba, the hub of
mosaic making in Jordan, from natural stone
pieces. It was crafted meticulously in the tradition
of Jordanian mosaic making handed down from
generations.