Kastron Mefaa, Archaeological site in Umm ar-Rasas, Jordan.
Kastron Mefaa is a Roman fort in Umm ar-Rasas laid out as a square with walls surrounding an area about 150 meters on each side. Multiple church buildings and structures remain inside these walls, showing how the site evolved into a Christian settlement.
The site began as a Roman military garrison in the 3rd century and later became an important Christian center for several centuries. It remained inhabited until around the middle of the 9th century before gradually being abandoned.
The Church of Saint Stephen displays a remarkable mosaic floor created in the 8th century that shows hunting scenes and everyday activities of that era. These decorative tiles reveal how the community expressed both religious faith and their connection to daily life.
The archaeological site lies roughly 50 kilometers southeast of Amman and is best reached via old trading routes through the Jordanian steppe. Visitors should prepare for basic conditions and wear suitable shoes for walking on uneven ground.
About two kilometers north of the main compound stands an isolated 14-meter stone tower that once belonged to a special group of monks. These ascetics lived atop such towers and practiced an extreme form of religious devotion and self-denial.
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