[2025 Um Al-Rasas Sub-District Attraction] Travel Guide for Fortress of Umm ar-Rasas (Old Roman City) (Updated Apr)

Located in the archaeological site of Umm ar-Rasas in Jordan, the Church of St Stephen is the most important discovery on the site. The church is part of a large monastic complex, built mainly between the end of the 6th to the end of the 8th century, providing evidence of an organised Christian community long after the arrival of the Muslims. The greatest attraction and one of the most important archaeological monuments in Jordan is the well-preserved mosaic floor of St. Stephen’s Church, which is the largest one in Jordan. On the central panel of the mosaic, hunting and fishing scenes are depicted, while another panel illustrates unique representations of towns near the Jordan river, scenes from the Nile Delta, and other beautiful motifs. Today, the church is protected by a huge roof and the mosaics can be seen quite well from constructed raised footbridges. The entry through the archaeological site of Umm ar-Rasas is included in the Jordan Pass. #christmastrip

Located 30 km southeast of Madaba, Umm ar-Rasas, also known as Kastron Mefa’a, is an archaeological site that offers a unique journey through time. The site is situated in the semi-arid steppe region of the Jordanian Desert and has been associated with the biblical settlement of Mephaat mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah. Umm ar-Rasas was initially a Roman military garrison but was later converted and inhabited by Christian and Islamic communities. In 2004, the site was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is valued by archaeologists for its extensive ruins dating to the Roman, Byzantine, and early Muslim periods. The jumbled ruins of Umm ar-Rasas are enclosed inside a wall with gates, with more structures spreading outside the walls to the north. Archaeologists have focused their work on the Byzantine churches, of which four inside the walls and 11 outside the walls have been discovered so far. #christmastrip

Umm ar-Rasas is an ancient city located south of Amman. It is mentioned in The Old and New Testaments and is home to Byzantine churches. The highlight here is the St. Stephen's Church. A large ancient mosaic floor has been found, which is still very well-preserved. There is a glass roof and walkway for tourists to walk on from above. It is very beautiful. 🕰️Opening hours: 08.00-17.00 hrs. 💰Average price per person: Free admission for Jordan Pass holders #VisitHistoricalSite