Religious Site#3

Temple Mount & Dome of the Rock

הר הבית

The Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif in Arabic) is a 35-acre elevated platform in the heart of the Old City that is sacred to both Judaism and Islam. Jews revere it as the location of the First and Second Temples — the spiritual center of the ancient Israelite world. Muslims honor it as the place where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Night Journey. The iconic golden Dome of the Rock, built in 691 CE by Caliph Abd al-Malik, shelters the Foundation Stone and is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. The silver-domed Al-Aqsa Mosque at the southern end is the third holiest mosque in Islam.

Wikimedia Commons

Detroit Photographic Company (Public domain)

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Don't Miss

See the iconic golden Dome of the Rock — one of the oldest Islamic structures
View the expansive plaza with its ancient olive trees and fountains
Observe the Foundation Stone through the Dome of the Rock's entrance
Take in panoramic views of the Mount of Olives from the eastern edge
See the Islamic Museum near Al-Aqsa Mosque

Visiting the Temple Mount

Non-Muslim visitors can access the Temple Mount through the Mughrabi Gate, located above the Western Wall plaza. Access is typically limited to Sunday through Thursday mornings (7:30-10:30 AM) and early afternoons (12:30-1:30 PM), though hours change frequently. Non-Muslims cannot enter the Dome of the Rock or Al-Aqsa Mosque. Modest dress is strictly required — no shorts, tank tops, or revealing clothing. Visitors are not permitted to bring religious items or pray visibly. Security screening is required. During Ramadan and Jewish holidays, access may be further restricted. Check current hours before visiting.

The Weight of History

This single platform has shaped world history more than perhaps any other place on Earth. Jewish tradition holds that Abraham's binding of Isaac occurred here, that Solomon built the First Temple on this spot around 960 BCE, and that the Second Temple stood here until the Romans destroyed it in 70 CE. In Islamic tradition, Prophet Muhammad was transported here from Mecca during the Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey) and ascended through the seven heavens. The Crusaders converted the Dome of the Rock into a church (Templum Domini) before Saladin restored it to Muslim worship in 1187.