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On a low hill along the east side of the Old City is the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif, site of the First and Second Jewish Temples and now the second most important pilgrimmage sites within the Islamic world. The First Temple was built by Solomon 961-960 BC and was destroyed by Babylonian invaders in 586 BC. Another temple was built after the end of the Babylonian Exile 537-515 BC, but it was only with Herod the Great that the Temple was rebuilt on a grand scale. Started in 22 BC, the Temple took two years to complete, though the entire complex was barely complete when the Romans tore the whole thing down in 70 AD. After the Arabs arrived in 638, Omar built a mosque upon the Temple Mount. The Dome of the Rock followed - 691-692 - and the al-Aqsa mosque in 705-715. With the Crusaders, the Mosque was made into a palace, though it reverted to its former use - the congregational mosque for the Old City - after Salah al-Din’s recon quest of Jerusalem in 1187. Al-Aqsa is Jerusalem’s main congregational mosque today, as well. Mosque protocol is observed - non-Moslems aren’t allowed in the area during the prayer times. Leave your shoes at the entrance. Entrance into the mosque is included in an all-encompassing ticket which includes the Islamic Museum next door and the Dome on the Rock. Entry for non-Moslems is via the Bab al-Maqhariba on the Western Wall plaza or the Bab al-Silsila at the end of Tariq al-Silsila. Visiting hours are not fixed, revolving around the Moslem prayer times. During Ramadan, visits are restricted to the morning hours while everything is closed to non-Moslems on Friday. Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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| | | | Temple Mount: Temple Mount | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Temple Mount (Har Habayit in Hebrew, Haram esh-Sharif in Arabic) is one of the holiest of all places and is recognised in both Jewish and Islamic religions as the site of Mount Moriah where Abraham offered his son as sacrifice. In the Jewish religion, King Solomon built the First Temple almost 3000 years ago but which was destroyed in 586 BC. The Second Temple was built in approx 450 BC and remained the key centre in Judaism until its destruction in 70 AD by the Romans. Only the Western Wall remained - and this has become the most revered of all sites in the Jewish religion - Ha'Kotel, the Western Wall or more commonly known at the Wailing Wall. Mount Moriah remained in ruins until the end of the 7th century, when the Muslim conquest resulted in a 'House of Prayer' being erected over what was believed to be the actual bedrock where Abraham offered his sacrifice. So the Dome on the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra), one of the most famous of all Islamic buildings, was built. As it a shrine and not a mosque, alongside it, the al-Aksa mosque was built. Dome on the Rock is the third holiest site in Islam. Entering the gates of the complex has never been that straightforward as it is dependent on prayer times etc. Needless to say, it is almost impossible at the moment. Nevertheless, there are many vantage points dotted round the city where you can get great views of the golden dome, including the steps overlooking the Western (Wailing) Wall, the church tower of St John's and various rooftops (Old City) and a few places outside the walls themselves. Leave a Comment Address: Old City
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| | | | Temple Mount: Temple Mount | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Temple Mount is hugely important, and unsurprisingly in this part of the world it is also hugely controversial. For the Jews it is the place of their most holy Temple, the first and second one of which were destroyed two and a half thousand years ago, the second around the time of Jesus. The third Temple, should it be built, would mark the coming of the Jewish messiah. That's how important it is to Jewish people. It is so holy that some Jews will not step foot here for fear of treading on the holy of holies. The Western (or Wailing) Wall of Temple Mount is a famous site in itself. The controversy is that it is also now home to two of the holiest sites in the Islamic empire: the Dome of the Rock, and the Al Aqsa mosque. The Dome of the Rock is one of the most outstanding pieces of religious architecture in the world, and a prominent golden domed symbol of the city. The Al-Aqsa mosque is its slightly greyer, but no less important, companion. According to Islamic beliefs, on the prophet Mohammad's last journey, he travelled from Mecca to the "furthest Mosque", the Al Aqsa, where he is believed to have ascended to heaven from the rock, which is now covered by the Dome of the Rock. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third most holy site in all Islam. The controversial nature of the site rears its ugly head from time to time, and in such a way as to cause problems for the visitor. There is strict security and from time to time access for non-Muslims can be barred, and even when access is allowed, there are limited time periods when you can get in. Even shortly after I left, 11 people were arrested in riots over an archeological dig at the site. Leave a Comment Directions: Whatever the situation, it is an outstanding place of beauty and history, and not just a must visit for anyone in Jerusalem, it's simply a must visit for anyone, anywhere. Free entrance via the Western Wall from 7-10 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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| | | | Temple Mount: Temple Mount / Haram ash Sharif | Tip Rating: | | | | |
A holy place for three world religions, traditionally being believed to be the place where God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, as a test of faith. Abraham is of founding importance for Jewish, Muslims and Christians. It is the place where the historic Jewish Temples were situated; king David got the mount; his son Salomo built the first Temple, which was destroyed by the Babylonians. There was a temporary temple after the jewish came back from exile but it was King Herod who built another big temple. This Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70. The Wailing Wall is a retaining wall for the Temple Mount; and the only remaining part from this period. In Roman and early Christian times the place was not considered very important; the area was neglected. The western part of the Town, with the new Christian holy sites, became the centre of all activities. When muslims came to power, they built two mosques on the Mount: The Dome of the Rock, which is dominating the old town with its golden dome and the Al Aksa mosque. The Dome was built in the 7th century, Al Aksa mosque in the 8th century. When the Christian Crusaders conquered Jerusalem they killed all the Muslim and Jews, and turned the Dome of the Rock into a church: The Temple of the Lord. Saladin made the Dome an islamic sanctuary again in the 12th century. The Dome was heavily renovated under the rule of the Ottoman sultan Suleyman in the 15th century. In July 2004, it was no problem visiting the Temple Mount, though there were not many tourists. Go there early in the morning, as I heard that are the only hours it is opened for tourists. It was however inhibited to enter the mosques. Leave a Comment Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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