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The elaborate figurative floor design of a private villa from the 6th century, located at the core of the Archaeological Park, is truly unique among Jordan's mosaics. It depicts the ancient myth of Hippolytus, known in Byzantine times through the tragedy of the Greek dramatist Euripides. The mosaicist who created it, however, used other sources as model for his work (more on this below).
The western part of the mosaic was discovered by the houseowner Sulayman Sunna in 1905, while digging in a newly built room next to the area in which he had unearthed the narthex of the Church of the Virgin Mary about 10 years earlier. The larger eastern part was discovered in 1982 by Michele Piccirillo under the vestibule of the church. Further excavations revealed that the villa had been built over a Roman temple in the first half of the 6th century, and was covered by the Church of the Virgen Mary about 100 years later. More information and details in our photo tour.
(Map on site, modified by UiU)
Hippolytus Hall
Madaba Archaeological Park 1
Entrance from Abu Bakr As-Siddiq St.
a few meters from the Madaba Visitors Center
Location on map
Opening hours:
Summer 8 am - 6:30 pm
Nov. - April 8 am - 4 pm
April and May 8 am - 5:30 pm
Ramadan 8 am - 3:30 pm
(Information without guarantee, times may change)
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Compilation of information, editing, translations, photos: Universes in Universe, unless otherwise indicated.
These informative photo tours present some of the main attractions of Madaba, Jordan's City of Mosaics.