Hundreds of volunteers are close to completing a mosaic mural at the entrance to Jordan’s city of Al-Salt. It extends for about 50 metres and is 2.5 metres high, with around 3 million 750 thousand stones used in its construction. The work documents elements of the city’s history and heritage, while those behind it are seeking to register it in the Guinness World Records.
The project was launched by visual artist Raeda Al-Awamleh, a native of Al-Salt, to tell the story of the city and Balqa Governorate through a collection of heritage and architectural symbols made from mosaic stones. Al-Awamleh said the participants were not simply painting a mural, but “building a documented story in the language of stone so that it will last for generations to come”.
Raeda Al-Awamleh launches Al-Salt storytelling project
The initiative’s founder explained that the project was not limited to completing the artwork, but also provided an opportunity to pass on mosaic-making skills to the participating volunteers. The entrance to Al-Salt was chosen as the mural’s location so that it would be among the first sights to greet visitors to the city. The team hopes it will be recognised by Guinness World Records as a vast mosaic work made using this number of stones.
An ancient olive tree stands at the centre of the mural, surrounded by scenes depicting old Al-Salt houses, pottery jars and straw crafts, alongside traditional building styles. Other sections feature elements showcasing Al-Salt’s present and its development, in a design that combines the city’s architectural and heritage memory with its contemporary features.
The project attracted around 650 volunteers from different Jordanian governorates, who worked for 45 consecutive days installing the stones and executing the details included in the design. As the work nears its final stage, less than 10% of the mural remains before it reaches completion.
650 volunteers complete mural in 45 days
Among the young women taking part is Hala Al-Habees, who joined the project despite having no previous experience in mosaic art. She said her desire to leave a personal mark on the mural and use her time in a volunteer activity, as well as learn a new skill, were among her main motivations for participating. Al-Habees added that she mastered the basics of handling mosaic pieces while working under the supervision of artist Raeda Al-Awamleh.
The volunteers begin their daily work in the morning and continue until the end of the day, undertaking the effort required to install thousands of small pieces each day and execute the design’s details precisely.
Al-Habees said she wanted to make a clear personal contribution to the mural, noting that the experience had not only given her a new artistic skill, but had also enabled her to meet other volunteers and build new relationships during the days of continuous work.
