Minarets of the Temple Mount

The Minarets of the Temple Mount are four stone towers that stand at different corners of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, with three positioned on the western side and one on the northern edge. Each tower has its own distinct design and construction details that mark its period and builders.

The minarets were built over several centuries beginning in the late 1200s, with different towers added under various rulers who controlled the sanctuary. They mark the evolving architectural styles and changing hands that shaped this sacred ground.

The minarets serve as platforms where the call to prayer echoes across the city five times daily, anchoring the rhythm of Islamic worship. They stand as visible markers of faith in the landscape and connect the community to generations of believers who have gathered here.

The minarets can be seen and photographed from several viewpoints around the Old City, especially from the western and northern edges of the compound. Access to the interior varies depending on current conditions, so it is helpful to check opening times before planning your visit.

One of the towers contains an internal spiral staircase of about 80 steps that leads up to the muezzin's call balcony. This hidden passage allows the voice of prayer to carry across the entire city from a high vantage point above the sanctuary.