Temple Mount

Jerusalem, Israel

The Temple Mount, a hill located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is one of the most important religious sites in the world. It has been venerated as a holy site for thousands of years by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The present site is dominated by three monumental structures from the early Umayyad period: the al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock and the Dome of the Chain, as well as four minarets. Herodian walls and gates with additions dating back to the late Byzantine and early Islamic periods cut through the flanks of the Mount. Currently it can be reached through eleven gates, ten reserved for Muslims and one for non-Muslims, with guard posts of Israeli police in the vicinity of each.

According to the Bible, the Jewish Temples stood on the Temple Mount. According to Jewish tradition and scripture, the First Temple was built by King Solomon the son of King David in 957 BCE and destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The second was constructed under the auspices of Zerubbabel in 516 BCE and destroyed by the Roman Empire in 70 CE. Jewish tradition maintains it is here that a Third and final Temple will also be built. The location is the holiest site in Judaism and is the place Jews turn towards during prayer. Due to its extreme sanctity, many Jews will not walk on the Mount itself, to avoid unintentionally entering the area where the Holy of Holies stood, since according to Rabbinical law, some aspect of the divine presence is still present at the site.

Among Sunni Muslims, the Mount is widely considered the third holiest site in Islam. Revered as the Noble Sanctuary, the location of Muhammad's journey to Jerusalem and ascent to heaven, the site is also associated with Jewish biblical prophets who are also venerated in Islam. Umayyad Caliphs commissioned the construction of the al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock on the site. The Dome was completed in 692 CE, making it one of the oldest extant Islamic structures in the world. The Al Aqsa Mosque rests on the far southern side of the Mount, facing Mecca. The Dome of the Rock currently sits in the middle, occupying or close to the area where the Holy Temple previously stood.

In light of the dual claims of both Judaism and Islam, it is one of the most contested religious sites in the world. Since the Crusades, the Muslim community of Jerusalem has managed the site as a Waqf, without interruption. As the site is part of the Old City, controlled by Israel since 1967, both Israel and the Palestinian Authority claim sovereignty over it, and it remains a major focal point of the Arab–Israeli conflict. In an attempt to keep the status quo, the Israeli government enforces a controversial ban on prayer by non-Muslims.

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Details

Founded: 10th century BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Israel

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dennis Gerdel (15 months ago)
Spiritual joy, sadness and hope!
Rose Karotkin (16 months ago)
Whoever runs this place will have to answer to G-d one day. Going up is quite an experience -being told you cannot speak, worship, sing, pray… freely. May they be rebuked by Him. For every eye will see and every knee will bow and acknowledge He is who He says He is.
Ebrahim Makda (3 years ago)
A wonderful Masjid and compound . Islam's third most holiest site. A wonderful atmosphere in Ramadan with friendly food sharing. Unfortunately sometimes soldiers /illegal settlers violate the compound and kill and maim innocent Muslim worshippers. Also name on Google is wrong - the name of this site is Al Aqsa compound
Cecilia Ryu (3 years ago)
It was so much lucky for me to visit this amazing place. It is totally unforgettable. Quiet and beautiful place for prayer and holiness
Kishi Sewiz-Pepper (4 years ago)
This place is INCREDIBLE! I saw almost everything, and I saw it is SO ancient, very different from my hometown in Japan!
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