First, we went to the Greek orthodox church.
Inside the floor was all mosaic, not only all mosaic, but one enormous map! Our friend Saleh pointed out Bethlehem, The dead Sea, Jerusalem etc... Sadly there have been some seven earthquakes since the times of Christ, so not all of the mosaic is still in tact, but it really is something amazing to see!
Part of the map
This is a key/legend outside of the map remains, you can see in the middle where the dead sea is (it looks like a big dark oval)
This is a key/legend outside of the map remains, you can see in the middle where the dead sea is (it looks like a big dark oval)
Inside at the pulpit
Prayer candles
There are mosques EVERYWHERE! I think more than LDS chapels in Utah!
Another fancy Mosque
Statue in the city
A funny old man asleep in his salon...you can see my reflection in the window, taking the picture out of the car
The Madaba Archeological Park
Standing in front of a Mosaic, the donkey feet are at my shoulder, but the rest of the donkey was destroyed and replaced with foliage...
2,100 year old mosaic, the oldest known
When the Muslims came to this area they didn't believe in having any illustrated forms of people or animals, so they came to the mosaics and rearranged the tile pieces where the faces were. its a shame they ruined all these beautiful pieces of artwork. They are still gorgeous though!
I took a few pictures of the animals in full form, because it was rare they were fairly untouched.
This is an arch that ran along a main roman street that lead to the Church of the Virgin, the street was mosaic as well, but here they barely have any sense of preservation, and Saleh picked up a piece of the ANCIENT MOSAIC ROAD, and gave it to me! Sweet!That would NEVER fly in the states!
The Lion, another rare image
The "Carpet" in the vestibule in the Church of the Virgin
The story of Aphrodite in Mosaic, so cool to see!
Bottom of the Mosaic of Aphrodite
I bought a mosaic of the tree of life, and this is the original mosaic behind me on the floor. This was in the cell of a monk.
Zoomed in Tree of Life
Prayer candles
There are mosques EVERYWHERE! I think more than LDS chapels in Utah!Another fancy Mosque
Statue in the city
A funny old man asleep in his salon...you can see my reflection in the window, taking the picture out of the carThe Madaba Archeological Park
Standing in front of a Mosaic, the donkey feet are at my shoulder, but the rest of the donkey was destroyed and replaced with foliage...
2,100 year old mosaic, the oldest known
When the Muslims came to this area they didn't believe in having any illustrated forms of people or animals, so they came to the mosaics and rearranged the tile pieces where the faces were. its a shame they ruined all these beautiful pieces of artwork. They are still gorgeous though!
I took a few pictures of the animals in full form, because it was rare they were fairly untouched.
This is an arch that ran along a main roman street that lead to the Church of the Virgin, the street was mosaic as well, but here they barely have any sense of preservation, and Saleh picked up a piece of the ANCIENT MOSAIC ROAD, and gave it to me! Sweet!That would NEVER fly in the states!
The Lion, another rare image
The "Carpet" in the vestibule in the Church of the Virgin
The story of Aphrodite in Mosaic, so cool to see!
Bottom of the Mosaic of Aphrodite
I bought a mosaic of the tree of life, and this is the original mosaic behind me on the floor. This was in the cell of a monk.
Zoomed in Tree of Life
1 comment:
Those are cool pictures. the one of the lion reminds me of a quilt pattern. Did they tell you who made them? The monks (or whatever they call them) or paid artisans or what? It looks tedious to do--maybe a good job for prisoners!! jk--I love you and miss you. thank you for posting these very awesome pictures.
Mom
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