The Church of Saint Sergius at Nitl. A Centre of the Christian Arabs in the Steppe at the Gates of Madaba

The ruins at Nitl are located on a raised spot. The prominent ancient edifices among the ruins, were a vaulted room and a square tower with its stone door still in situ, both built of squared-up stones with protruding ashlar work, typical of Roman buildings found in the region. The ‘tower’ lies to the west of the ecclesiastical complex we have excavated. The complex turns out to be really spectacular and unique in the religious architecture of the Madaba region. With its two churches and chapel, built in stone and decorated with mosaics, it has a unified appearance that made it look like a fortified citadel. The inscriptions clarify the nature of the Christian community we have met in the churches at Umm al-Rasas – Kastron Mefaa with a decidedly Arab character. The ecclesiastical complex at Nitl is a monument, which for its importance, can only be compared, in the Madaba region, with the great ecclesiastical complexes of the Memorial of Moses on Mount Nebo and the Saint Stephen Complex at Umm al-Rasas. It is to be considered as a sepulchral church for high ranking members of the Banu Ghassan family living in the region of Madaba.