It was a sanctuary of the Moabites in the days of Ahaz and was named as one of the cities of Moab in the prophetic curse recorded in Isa 15:2.
When the Ammonites were defeated by Joab they found refuge in Madaba (1 Chron 19:1-15). The Moabite Stone stated that Omri, king of Israel, captured Madaba, probably from Moab, and the Israelites controlled the city for 40 years. Mesha, king of Moab, recaptured and rebuilt it. Jeroboam II of Israel probably recaptured madaba again, for "he restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of Hamath [in the north] to the Sea of the Arabah [in the south]" (2 Kings 14:25). Jeroboam probably pushed the Moabites south of the River Arnon and regained control of the plain by Madaba. If so, it was a short-lived victory; for Isaiah's oracle against Moab (Isa 15:2) indicated that in Isaiah's time Madaba was once again under Moabite control.
The ruins are located about 18 miles east of the Dead Sea. In the Christian era, Madaba was in charge by a bishop. Most important of the discoveries was a 6th century (500 AD and 800 AD) Byzantine floor mosaic of map of Jerusalem and Holy Land discovered in the Greek Orthodox church at Madaba late in the nineteenth century when a new church was being constructed at the site. Although much of it was destroyed, the section representing Jerusalem remains intact.
Soon, we were on our way to Madaba. The bus dropped us off at Virgin Mary Catholic church and we walked uphill to the Madaba Vistor Centre.
Enroute via streets of Madaba
Finally, we reached the Madaba Visitor Centre
Our guide gave us some information on the mosiac map of Jerusalem and Holy Land used in ancient days.
St George Greek Orthodox Church where the mosaic floor of map of Jerusalem and Holy Land was originally discovered.
Mosiac map of the of Jerusalem and Holy Land on the floor of Church
Inside the church
Outside the church
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