Aqaba Church

Aqaba Church is a rectangular place of worship built with stone foundations and mud-brick walls measuring 26 by 16 meters, featuring a central nave flanked by two side aisles. The walls still stand to a height of about 4.5 meters and preserve original structural elements from the Roman period.

This church was built in the 3rd century, making it older than both the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity. Archaeological excavations in 1998 uncovered these remains and revealed the site's importance in early Christian history.

The church reflects early Christian architectural choices, with its eastward-facing design and central nave that accommodated worshippers gathering for communal prayer.

This is an archaeological excavation site, so visitors should expect uneven ground and partially exposed foundations. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and visiting during daylight hours makes it easier to see the structural details.

Human burials in mud-brick tombs surround the church, with remains of about 24 individuals arranged around the structure. One tomb yielded fragments of a bronze cross dating to the 4th century.