Monuments to visit Madaba

Founded in 2007, the Institute of Mosaic Art and Restoration is an association run by the Jordanian government. Its mission is to become a center of excellence in the conservation, restoration and creation of mosaics. The institute trains mosaicists who, upon completion of their studies, will be responsible for preserving Jordan's cultural heritage. In addition, the Institute promotes mosaics by producing new creations.

In this ancient and imposing 7th century private residence discovered in 1905, excavations revealed several portions of mosaics on the floor. The palace, located on the edge of an ancient Roman road, is believed to have burned down in the Byzantine period, possibly during the earthquake of 749, and was subsequently abandoned. Although almost no trace remains of the palace, with its vaulted halls and columns, the floors bear witness to the wealth of its owners. The mosaic in the hall depicts pastoral and hunting scenes and, at the entrance, a pair of sandals in a medallion. In the extension of the building are several rooms, all of which contain fragments of mosaic pavements that are more or less well preserved. The northern ones feature a statue of the goddess Tyche, the Greek goddess of good fortune, and a fragment of a creation representing the four seasons. In the room in the west wing, there is a succession of geometric designs forming an elegant floor carpet, with the centerpiece being a lion killing a bull.

Near the burnt-out palace, there are also the few remains of the Church of the Martyrs (Al-Khadir), dating from the 6th century. Its mosaic pavement was unfortunately heavily damaged during the height of the iconoclastic period led by the Umayyads and the following Muslim dynasties.

This mosaic that decorated the hall of a private villa of the sixth century is known since 1902. The owner of the house discovered it while digging foundations. But this discovery was partial and the entire fresco was not uncovered until 1982, when excavations were carried out in the entrance of the nearby Church of the Virgin Mary. It is unique in Jordan and refers to the tragedy of Phaedra. The fresco consists of three panels. The first panel depicts the hunt, of which Artemis was the Greek goddess. The four seasons are represented in the four corners of the panel. The second panel represents Phaedra and Hippolyta, symbolizing guilty passion. The third panel depicts the goddess Aphrodite, seated next to Adonis, wielding a spear while threatening a cherub. In the upper left-hand corner, three women, accompanied by sea monsters, symbolize three cities: Rome, Gregoria and Madaba.

The themes addressed and the characters represented are all taken from the tragedy of Euripides. Hippolytus is the son of Theseus and an Amazon. When the latter dies, Theseus marries Phaedra. Hippolyte devotes a worship to Artemis, and like her, chooses the way of chastity. Aphrodite tries to seduce Hippolyte, who despises her. To take revenge, she casts a spell on Phèdre, who will fall in love with her son-in-law. She makes advances to him, but he rejects her. In despair, she commits suicide, leaving a letter accusing Hippolyte of having tried to seduce her. Thésée banishes his son.