Al-Aqsa Mosque

The compound extends across approximately 144,000 square meters and includes numerous structures, among them the Dome of the Rock with its golden cupola and four minarets in Mamluk style. The main prayer hall features a silver dome and houses various prayer spaces. The site contains over 200 historic monuments and architectural elements from different periods of Islamic construction.

The first mention of this structure in Islamic records refers to construction 40 years after the Kaaba. Earthquakes during the Umayyad era led to several reconstruction phases, with architects under the Abbasids redesigning the building. The Crusaders converted the site into a church in the 12th century before Saladin reclaimed it for Islamic worship in 1187.

This sacred site for Muslims attracts believers from across the Islamic world and serves as a central location for communal prayers. As the third most important site in Islam after Mecca and Medina, it plays a critical role in the religious life and spiritual identity of millions worldwide.

Access is provided through four main gates leading to different sections. Visitors must obtain permits and adhere to specific dress codes. Non-Muslims may enter the grounds only during designated hours, typically in the morning. Entry to prayer halls is restricted to Muslims, while the exterior courtyards can be visited following religious regulations.

The compound stands on the Temple Mount plateau, which holds religious significance for Muslims as well as followers of other Abrahamic faiths. Beneath the surface lie several underground structures, including cisterns and vaults from various historical periods. The geometric decoration patterns on walls and ceilings were created without figurative representations and demonstrate Islamic artistic tradition through mathematical precision.

Location: Jerusalem

Inception: 717

Architectural style: Islamic architecture

Capacity: 5000

Height: 37 m

Length: 80 m

Width: 55 m

Part of: Al-Aqsa

Address: Jerusalem ירושלים

GPS coordinates: 31.77611,35.23583

Latest update: November 27, 2025 19:42