Minarets of the Temple Mount, Islamic towers at Temple Mount, Jerusalem.

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 first minaret, the Fakhriyya, was built between 1345 and 1496 at the junction of the southern and western walls and rebuilt in 1920. The Ghawanima Minaret followed around 1298 under Sultan Lajin, the Bab al-Silsila Minaret in 1329 under Tankiz, and the Bab al-Asbat Minaret in 1367 under Qutlugha. The Bab al-Asbat dome was rebuilt after the 1927 earthquake.

Since the 16th century, the best muezzin of Jerusalem has been assigned to the Bab al-Silsila Minaret, where the first call to each of the five daily prayers is raised, giving the signal for muezzins of mosques throughout the city to follow. The Ghawanima Minaret is named after Shaykh Ghanim ibn Ali ibn Husayn, appointed Shaykh of the Salahiyyah Madrasah by Saladin.

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.

The Bab al-Silsila Minaret has 80 internal steps and, since the 16th century, has been reserved for the best muezzin in Jerusalem: the first call to each of the five daily prayers is raised from it, signalling the other mosques of the city to follow. Israeli security forces now prevent Muslims from approaching or entering it.