Madaba

This was my favorite city in Jordan. It is a very ancient place, with a Christian background. That might seem strange, until one remembers that the Middle East was the birthplace of Christianity. Islam came much later. In fact the earliest sites of Christianity are mostly found in the Middle East. There is a large Christian population in the town, and St. George’s church has a famous mosaic of a map in the region. There are several frescoes and mosaics in the town, including the famous ‘Tree of Life’ and a mosaic of Jesus. There are several cafes and bars, and wine is easily available. Tourists can spend hours hanging out at quaint roadside joints having snacks and drinking red wine. Walking the streets is safe even late at night, and there are several old houses, churches and mosques one can visit.