Dome of the Rock — Attraction in Jerusalem

The Dome of the Rock is a fascinating and awe-inspiring religious site located in the heart of Jerusalem's Old City. It is one of the most significant landmarks in the world and holds immense importance to both Muslims and Jews. The stunning golden dome and intricate mosaics are truly breathtaking, making it a must-see destination for anyone visiting the region.

The site is built on the Temple Mount, which is believed to be the site of the Second Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Dome of the Rock was constructed in the late 7th century by the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, and it has been an important pilgrimage destination for Muslims ever since. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this very spot, and the mosque serves as a symbol of his journey.

The exterior of the Dome of the Rock is decorated with intricate tile work and calligraphy, and the interior is equally impressive. The central shrine is located under the magnificent golden dome and is surrounded by marble columns, mosaics, and intricate carvings. The shrine is not accessible to non-Muslims, but the surrounding area is open for visitors to explore.

As mentioned earlier, non-Muslim visitors are only allowed to visit the site during specific visiting hours, and access to the interior of the mosque is prohibited. Visitors are required to dress modestly, with long pants and sleeves for both men and women, and women must cover their heads with a scarf. Cameras and other electronic devices are also not allowed inside the mosque.

If you are a Muslim visitor, you can visit the Dome of the Rock at any time of the day, and you do not need to adhere to specific visiting hours. However, it is essential to be mindful of the cultural and religious significance of the site and to be respectful of other visitors.

When visiting the Dome of the Rock, it is essential to keep in mind that it is a highly sensitive religious site, and any inappropriate behavior or actions can result in being denied entry or even arrested. It is also important to be mindful of the security measures in place and to follow the instructions of the security personnel.

In addition to the Dome of the Rock, there are several other noteworthy sites to visit in the vicinity, including the Western Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is one of the holiest sites in Judaism and is a significant place of pilgrimage for Jews from around the world. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and is an essential pilgrimage destination for Muslims.

Overall, the Dome of the Rock is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Jerusalem. Its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural significance make it an essential stop on any trip to the region. Whether you are a Muslim or a non-Muslim, a visit to the Dome of the Rock is an unforgettable experience that you will remember for...

The Dome of the Rock is situated in the center of the Temple Mount, the site of the Temple of Solomon and the Jewish Second Temple, which had been greatly expanded under Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE. Herod's Temple was destroyed in 70 CE by the Romans, and after the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135 CE, a Roman temple to Jupiter Capitolinus was built at the site.Jerusalem was ruled by the Christian Byzantine Empirethroughout the 4th to 6th centuries. During this time, Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem began to develop.The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built under Constantine in the 320s, but the Temple Mount was left undeveloped after a failed project of restoration of the Jewish Temple under Julian the Apostate.The Dome of the Rock is now mostly assumed to have been built by the order of Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik and his son and successor Al-Walid I. According to Sibt ibn al-Jawzi, construction started in 687. Construction cost was reportedly seven times the yearly tax income of Egypt. A dedicatory inscription in Kufic script is preserved inside the dome. The date is recorded as AH 72 (691/2 CE), the year historians believe the construction of the original Dome was completed. In this inscription, the name of al-Malik was deleted and replaced by the name of Abbasid caliph Al-Ma'mun. This alteration of the original inscription was first noted by Melchior de Vogüé in 1864. Some scholars have suggested that the dome was added to an existing building, built either by Muawiyah I (r. 661–680), or indeed a Byzantine building dating to before the Muslim conquest, built under Heraclius (r. 610–641).Its architecture and mosaics were patterned after nearby Byzantine churches and palaces. The two engineers in charge of the project were Raja ibn Haywah, a Muslim theologian from Beit She'an and Yazid Ibn Salam, a non-Arab who was Muslim and a native of Jerusalem.Shelomo Dov Goitein of the Hebrew University has argued that the Dome of the Rock was intended to compete with the many fine buildings of worship of other religions: "The very form of a rotunda, given to the Qubbat as-Sakhra, although it was foreign to Islam, was destined to rival the many Christian domes." K.A.C. Creswell in his book The Origin of the Plan of the Dome of the Rock notes that those who built the shrine used the measurements of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The diameter of the dome of the shrine is 20.20 m (66.3 ft) and its height 20.48 m (67.2 ft), while the diameter of the dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is 20.90 m (68.6 ft) and its height 21.05 m (69.1 ft).The structure was basically octagonal. It comprised a wooden dome, approximately 20 m (66 ft) in diameter, which was mounted on an elevated drum consisting of a circle of 16 piers and columns. Surrounding this circle was an octagonal arcade of 24...

The Dome of the Rock is a World Heritage Site and easily one Jerusalem's most recognisable buildings. This is the beautiful blue coloured and octagonal-shaped shrine with the gilded dome, which looms over the ancient Temple in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Originally built in 688-691 during the Omayyad era, the Dome of the Rocak is situated upon an elevated position at Haram esh-Sharif further known as Temple Mount and can be seen from numerous locations around the city.

Non-Muslims can enter the Temple Mount area by way of the Gate of the Moors (Moorish Gate) just south of the secured Western Wall holy site. The Dome of the Rock is more or less in the centre of these grounds.

While non-Muslims can't enter the shrine, the exterior of the building can be viewed from up close and greatly admired for its splendour. Most impressive are the patterned tileworks which cover the outside of the building. These were added in 1545 during the period of Sulyman the Magnificent. Many of the tiles were later replaced in 1965 after four centuries of weathering.

The dome was only given the gold leaf colour that we known today in 1959. King Hussein of Jardon then financed the restorations of the dome in 1993 giving it the coat of gold you see today when viewing the golden Dome of the Rock.

Note: To the east side of the Dome of the Rock, is a smaller Dome of the Chain. This is a columned open shrine with a smaller dome, displaying more delicate tileworks that are just lovely to see.

In the end, regardless of faith, the Dome of the Rock is a must-see building in Jerusalem. Considered one of the earliest and finest achievements in islamic architecture, this is one of the highlights of Jerusalem and a place you will remember seeing for the rest...