Words cannot describe the blessed land of Palestine the dome of rock is simply mesmerising lots of tourist friendly environment beautiful architecture and highly spiritual the Palestinians are great people really really nice people
Visit Dome of the Rock – Jerusalem
Islam’s third holiest site after Mecca and Medina, the Dome of the Rock is built on top of the Temple Mount in the Old City. At the heart of the sanctuary is the Foundation Stone where, according to Islamic tradition, the prophet Muhammad ascended to Heaven.
The Dome, which was completed in 691-692 A.D., and has since come to define Jerusalem’s skyline, is an excellent example of middle Byzantine art. The man who initiated the construction, Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, hoped that the building, a shrine for pilgrims rather than a mosque for public worship, would “house the Muslims from cold and heat.” The structure was restored many times throughout the centuries, coated once with gold, then with tiles.
The most recent restoration of the site was carried out in 1998 by Jordan’s King Hussein II, who sold one of his houses in London to help fund the 80 kilograms of gold required to coat the dome. The sanctuary’s lavish interior is decorated with mosaic, marble and inscriptions. One of the reasons why the sanctuary has remained intact through the centuries, withstanding earthquakes that destroyed many nearby structures, is its octagonal shape.
Non-Muslim visitors are not allowed to enter the Dome of the Rock, but can get a close look from the Temple Mount courtyard during regular non-Muslim visiting hours.
As with other holy sites in Jerusalem, visitors to the Temple Mount are asked to dress modestly.
TripAdvisor Reviews
The Dome of the Rock is visible from all over Jerusalem and nearby; we had the opportunity to go up on top of the Temple Mount and view the building and its dome up close, although since we are not Muslim we weren't able to go inside. This building is iconic and atop a...
MoreThe Dome of the Rock is visible from all over Jerusalem and nearby; we had the opportunity to go up on top of the Temple Mount and view the building and its dome up close, although since we are not Muslim we weren't able to go inside. This building is iconic and atop a place which is sacred to Muslims, Jews, and Christians; I was able to go inside years ago (early 90's) but now it's no longer accessible. It is still worth going to the Temple Mount to see the beautiful building and other sights atop the mount.
LessOne of the most important places in the Muslim history that was built right after prophet Mohammed passed a way, a very spiritual experience but its for MUSLIMS ONLY,