Church of the Apostles
Church of the Apostles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
168 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
75
Average
35
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Brun066
Florence, Italy13,967 contributions
Aug 2022
As is known, the city of Madaba flourished for a long time, but it was then completely abandoned in the Mamluk era (mid 13th - early 16th century). We can therefore imagine Madaba after that era as a "tell"; that is, a hill, consisting of a natural platform on which the layers of ruined buildings have been deposited; so that very little of the latter emerged above ground.
This phenomenon has preserved under a layer of ruins a large part of the floors with the precious mosaics, which make the city famous today.
When the city, with the permission of the Ottoman authorities. it was reoccupied by a group of Christian Arabs in 1879, the new occupants were allowed to rebuild their churches only on the site of the pre-existing ones; so in 1884 the very famous "geographical" mosaic of the Holy Land was discovered.
Instead the foundations of the church of the Apostles, with its equally impressive mosaic, were discovered later, in 1902; and it was possible to date the completion of the construction of the church to 578 (therefore slightly later than the church of the "geographical" mosaic), and to designate the mosaicist with the name of "Salaman". Only in the 1920s, however, was the current vaulted roof built to protect the mosaics, a roof that only to the naïve might seem like that of the original church.
Discovering these mosaics (as well as those all over Madaba) was a revelation for me. In fact the only early Byzantine mosaics known to me before these were those of Ravenna, Italy, very different; in Madaba instead the mosaics are rich in reminiscences of the classical and "pagan" age, and animated by a strong interest in the manifestations of nature, especially animals.
The mosaics have somewhat dull colors after fifteen centuries, but if the keeper wets them with a little water, they become shiny again.
I consider these mosaics of the church of the Apostles a highlight of our trip to Jordan.
This phenomenon has preserved under a layer of ruins a large part of the floors with the precious mosaics, which make the city famous today.
When the city, with the permission of the Ottoman authorities. it was reoccupied by a group of Christian Arabs in 1879, the new occupants were allowed to rebuild their churches only on the site of the pre-existing ones; so in 1884 the very famous "geographical" mosaic of the Holy Land was discovered.
Instead the foundations of the church of the Apostles, with its equally impressive mosaic, were discovered later, in 1902; and it was possible to date the completion of the construction of the church to 578 (therefore slightly later than the church of the "geographical" mosaic), and to designate the mosaicist with the name of "Salaman". Only in the 1920s, however, was the current vaulted roof built to protect the mosaics, a roof that only to the naïve might seem like that of the original church.
Discovering these mosaics (as well as those all over Madaba) was a revelation for me. In fact the only early Byzantine mosaics known to me before these were those of Ravenna, Italy, very different; in Madaba instead the mosaics are rich in reminiscences of the classical and "pagan" age, and animated by a strong interest in the manifestations of nature, especially animals.
The mosaics have somewhat dull colors after fifteen centuries, but if the keeper wets them with a little water, they become shiny again.
I consider these mosaics of the church of the Apostles a highlight of our trip to Jordan.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sorbybryggetravelling
Lillehammer, Norway483 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
At the southern entry of Madaba, just by the King's Highway, sits the Apostles Church. Originating from 578 CE, this Byzantine church is under restoration. It features a notable mosaic, the "Personification of the Sea," showing a woman rising from the sea, surrounded by mythical sea creatures, with rams, bulls, parrots, and unusual plants also depicted.
The number of labour hours required to make these mosaics is surely immense!
The number of labour hours required to make these mosaics is surely immense!
Written 1 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daesquiv
San Jose, Costa Rica627 contributions
Mar 2020
Included in the Jordan Pass, this church contains remains of very well preserved mosaics all over the floor, the man was spraying water to enhance the mosaics and it did make a difference. Unfortunately there was not a lot of information about the mosaics in the place...we had a Lonely Planet guide so we got a pretty good idea of what it was all bout but if we hadn't then would have been not that good visit.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Mandar Bichu
46 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
A small church in the middle of the city. There is a separate entry fee 1 JOD pp since the site is not included in the Jordan pass. The famed ancient land map in mosaic is the main thing to see here. Underwhelming experience.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet R
Lafayette, CO610 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
It was very interesting to read the reviews on this church, many felt the mosaics were not accessible or easy to appreciate from the platforms. I agree. We must have lucky the day we walked in. There was a local there (probably not an official guide) with a spray bottle (probably water, but he said it was a special liquid from the mosaic school!). He walked us inside the mosaics along the borders, sprayed sections of the mosaics to clear the dust off and the colors were vibrant! He took pictures of us. Al for a tip of course. After reading the other reviews I am glad we encountered this unofficial guide, it was worth the 5 dinar tip.
Written 4 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ywwonglp
Cambridge, UK176 contributions
Apr 2016 • Solo
I think Madaba is only for those who are really really into archeology and history and artifacts. All the churches are tiny with some mosaic on the floor and that's it. Nothing too impressive and certainly worth a skip if you're just a regular backpacker.
This church feels like it has just a massive mosaic floor and that's it....
Only visited because it's included in the Jordan pass...it took me 5 mins visiting time.
This church feels like it has just a massive mosaic floor and that's it....
Only visited because it's included in the Jordan pass...it took me 5 mins visiting time.
Written 3 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darshana Ratnayake
Amman, Jordan2,058 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Nice church in mabada to see.. still construction going on
Bit big mosaic art on tje floor. Only one floor
Bit big mosaic art on tje floor. Only one floor
Written 4 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JPHaddad77
Beirut, Lebanon191 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
This place is relatively well preserved. A tour with a guide is a must. It has Roman and Byzantine remains.
Written 17 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JBG1
Leicester, UK814 contributions
Oct 2019
thirty minutes here is sufficient as you are restricted in what you can see and where you can walk. The viewing platform surrounds the floor mosaic so photos are possible of the whole floor.
You are able to stand very close to the floor in a roped off area but quite honestly it is better from the platform unless you wish to examine the detail.
You are able to stand very close to the floor in a roped off area but quite honestly it is better from the platform unless you wish to examine the detail.
Written 5 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there!
224 contributions
Aug 2019
Included in Jordan Pass and decided to check it out in the area.
The mosaics are pretty cool but yes a bit light. I think that's kind of the state of mosaics in the area as they do not seem to be fully restored to the colourful mosaics you would say see in places like Ravenna in Italy.
Still enjoyed it nonetheless
The mosaics are pretty cool but yes a bit light. I think that's kind of the state of mosaics in the area as they do not seem to be fully restored to the colourful mosaics you would say see in places like Ravenna in Italy.
Still enjoyed it nonetheless
Written 2 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I strongly suggest that the name be removed Apostolic Church. The most obvious sign is the picture of women or man in the mosaic tile. Next there are other images or faces on the floor. If Peter and Paul humble themselves after Christ Jesus (Philippians 2) why would any Apostle have their image in the church? To me this is signs of Pagan worship not of Christ. A women with exotic fishes and other sea creatures how do this worship Christ whom live for salvation ? False God . money making site 3JD. USAID help with reconstruction site to influences idolaters? Remove the site and state, Pagans worshipped here and they believed in this symbol in the middle of the floor and women or man with creature surrounding ...
Written 18 March 2018
I really don’t understand what you want from me! I just visited the place, I found it interesting and I shared my impressions. I didn’t named the place, I didn’t establish the entrance fee, I didn’t contract anybody for the reconstruction of the site, I’m just a tourist as many others who visited the place. Maybe you should address your complains to somebody else.
Written 19 March 2018
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