Since the founding of modern Jordan, mosaics have been an integral part of the national and historical identity. They have received special attention from the Hashemite leadership, transforming over time into a deeply rooted cultural heritage. The city of Madaba crowns this legacy as the historic capital of mosaic art in the Middle East, where historical authenticity, the spirit of craftsmanship, and architectural creativity come together.
Documented figures indicate that the Madaba citadel alone contains 1,600 square meters of beautiful, exquisite, and unique mosaics. Jordan has been able to protect and document them as a historical heritage linked to Jordan's history.
The art of mosaics in Jordan is a fundamental component of the national narrative, a pride of the Kingdom since its inception. He noted that the oldest mosaic floor in Jordan was discovered in the town of Mukawir, dating back to the first century BC. It was crafted by a Jordanian artist using local stones in black and white, reflecting the craft's deep connection to the local environment. He added that this art has evolved significantly over the ages, beginning with floor decoration and expanding to include walls and ceilings. It reached its peak in the sixth and seventh centuries AD, especially with the discovery of the Church of the Map in Madaba, which is considered one of the oldest maps in the world depicted using mosaics, and the Church of St. Stephen in Umm al-Rasas, which international experts have described as one of the most beautiful mosaic paintings in history, not only in terms of space but also in terms of the artistic details that embodied cities, natural landscapes, and daily life with remarkable precision. 400 mosaic floors constitute the largest artistic treasure in the Middle East. More than 400 mosaic floors discovered in Jordan's governorates make the Kingdom the richest country in the Middle East in this ancient art form. Jordanians have faithfully preserved this heritage, driven by a cultural and civilizational awareness. He pointed out that the early craftsmen of Madaba, led by the master "Salmanus" in the sixth century AD, established a rich artistic tradition. Salmanus signed his works and ran a school for teaching the art of mosaics, which demonstrates the level of appreciation this art enjoyed at the time and demonstrates that mosaic making in Jordan was not just a craft, but rather a comprehensive culture passed down through generations.
Madaba makes history again with the world's largest mosaic. In a living extension of this legacy, contemporary Madaba residents have created the world's largest hand-painted mosaic, measuring 180 square meters. This is a new Jordanian achievement, confirming that Madaba remains a vibrant center for mosaic making worldwide. It combines the fragrance of history with modernity, embodying a sense of belonging to this art form, which has become a symbol of local identity and a source of national pride.
Madaba Mosaic Institute: The only academic institution in the region. For his part, Dean of the Madaba Institute of Mosaic Art and Restoration, Dr. Ahmad Al-Amayreh, stated that the institute is the only academic institution of its kind in the Middle East that awards a diploma in the art of mosaic restoration and making. He emphasized that the academic program offered by the institute is built on precise scientific foundations and combines theoretical study with practical field application under the supervision of a select group of local and international experts. The institute was established in 2007 as a result of joint cooperation between the Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Department of Antiquities, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Italian Development Cooperation. The goal is to prepare qualified and specialized technical personnel in mosaic restoration and stone carving.
The institute has received both general and special accreditation from the Higher Education Council and offers a two-year diploma program that enables students to study advanced scientific concepts in restoration and artistic production, in addition to implementing practical projects within the institute's workshops and at actual archaeological sites off-campus. This enhances students' skills and qualifies them to enter the labor market in the fields of heritage conservation and architectural and artistic restoration. It thus constitutes a fundamental pillar of Jordan's strategy for preserving its cultural heritage. Jordan... A Global Model for Mosaic Protection and Identity Consolidation
This blending of the ancient history of mosaic art in Jordan and the modern institutional efforts represented by the Madaba Institute consolidates the Kingdom's position as a global model for preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage using contemporary scientific methods. It makes Jordanian mosaics not just a visual art form, but a living record of an expansive national identity, telling the story of the civilizations that have succeeded one another on this blessed land and expressing Jordan's deep awareness of the importance of culture as an element of soft power and sustainable development.
Restoring Byzantine Mosaics in Madaba: Protecting Heritage and Preserving History Madaba is considered the city of mosaics par excellence, given its hundreds of meters of mosaics dating back to the Byzantine period. Al-Tufaihat explained the presence of numerous churches, in addition to a cathedral (church complex), and mosaic floors in some homes from that era. Madaba's location near Jerusalem contributed to its importance during the Byzantine era, as its mosaic floors were distinguished by their telling of multiple stories reflecting aspects of daily life during that period. He noted that the Church of St. George contains a unique mosaic map, representing a plan showing important religious sites in Jordan, Palestine, and Sinai in Egypt, and perhaps extending to other geographical areas that have been lost over time. The Institute of Mosaic Art and Restoration is responsible for the restoration and maintenance of all mosaic floors in Madaba and Jordan, using the latest restoration and preservation techniques. He also noted that in 2018, the city of Madaba was ranked first globally in the field of stone mosaics, their restoration, and their preservation.
