Um er-Rasas

Um er-Rasas
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Um er-Rasas is an archeological site in Jordan which contains ruins from the Roman, Byzantine, and early Muslim civilizations. The majority of the site has not been excavated. Among the portions excavated so far include a military camp, and several churches. Particularly noteworthy is the mosaic floor of the Church of Saint Stephen with its representation of towns in the region.

Year Decision Comments
2004 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

Jarek Pokrzywnicki (Poland):
I have visited the site in February 2008. From the main road is just a huge pile of stones (visible area of former fortified Roman Camp) but a lot of works have been done in the area of former Byzantine town. All the mosaics were covered with sand and wood to protect them while building roof (preservation project, grant from European Union). Also the "mystery tower" - another part of heritage - was covered with scaffoldings. What a bad luck. At that time the site was open to visitors free of charge with no tourist facilities. But the area is worth visiting, easy to reach by car from main road Amman-Aqaba.
Date posted: September 2008
Christer Sundberg (Sweden):
Quite recently appointed World Heritage Site, the Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) site first makes you wonder whether it belongs on the list at all? As this, almost non-excavated, site looks right now its more of a heap of rubble than anything else…! Some serious archeological work is needed here before you can make sense of this place. However, what makes it worth the effort of visiting, are the magnificent Roman mosaics in the small church of Saint Stephen.
Date posted: June 2006


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