325. Salṭ, as- | السلط

al-Balqā’Governorate

Maqām al-Khidhr - Church of Saint George

JADIS no. 211 6003

MEGA no. 10358, maqām 45919

Coordinates: 32°02'28.0"N 35°43'39.0"E

32.041111, 35.727500

Plan: long rectangular in E-W orientation with apse of segmental plan in the E; nave divided by three pilasters along the long walls in three bays, the E one covered by a semi globular vault, the two W ones by cross vaults.The presbytery is separated from the naós by a pointed arch underneath which is a modern wooden iconostasis. An arched entrance surmounted by a large triangular window gives access to the central bay. A door in the W wall of the W bay leads to an annexed small side room in N-S orientation. The maqām is a natural cave with an artificially chiseled semicircular recess in the SW corner of the naós.

Measurements: unknown.

Building Materials: brownish limestone, natural rock.

Construction details: The buttresses are constructed of well-cut limestone blocks with mortar in their joints. The barrel vault consists of coarsely broken boulders.

Preservation: intact, used for Christian and Muslim prayer.

Inscription(s): none known.

Date(s): H 1093 / 1682 AD.

Traveler Reports: none known.

Bibliography: Kahle 1911, 118; Augustinović 1972, 43; Venediktos (n.Y.), passim; Samain 2018.