The Dome of the Rock dominates the skyline of Jerusalem with its glittering gold roof and intricate blue tiles. Standing atop the Temple Mount, or Haram al-Sharif, it serves as one of the most significant spiritual sites in the world for both Muslims and Jews. Uniquely, this architectural masterpiece functions as a shrine rather than a mosque, protecting the sacred stone beneath its dome. Furthermore, its octagonal design and history of conquest make it a fascinating study of art, religion, and politics. Prepare to step onto the holy ground of the Old City.
Dome of the Rock
Technically, the Dome of the Rock is not a mosque. While people often confuse it with the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque, it functions specifically as a shrine. Caliph Abd al-Malik built it to house and honor the Foundation Stone rather than to serve as a public prayer hall.
The structure stands as the oldest existing Islamic monument in the world. Workers completed the construction in 691 CE, just a few decades after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Consequently, it has survived earthquakes, wars, and renovations while keeping its original octagonal shape for over 1,300 years.
Beneath the rock lies a mysterious cave known as the “Well of Souls.” Legend says that the voices of the dead mingle with the waters of paradise in this cavern. Historically, people believed this hollow space contained the Ark of the Covenant or even the center of the world.
The Knights Templar mistakenly believed it was the Temple of Solomon. When Crusaders captured Jerusalem, they turned the shrine into a church and used it as their headquarters. Therefore, they copied its circular design for their own churches across Europe, including the Temple Church in London.
King Hussein of Jordan sold one of his houses to pay for the gold dome. In the 1990s, the roof needed urgent repairs, so the monarch personally funded the 80 kilograms of gold required to plate it. Thus, the dome shines brightly enough today to blind onlookers in the midday sun.
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent added the iconic blue tiles hundreds of years later. Originally, glass mosaics covered the exterior walls, similar to the interior. However, the Ottoman ruler ordered workers to replace them with thousands of ceramic tiles in 1545 to weatherproof the structure.
Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this spot. According to tradition, the Night Journey ended here, where the Prophet climbed a ladder of light to speak with God. Consequently, visitors can still see a mark on the stone that some claim is a footprint from this event.
Jewish tradition identifies the rock as the site where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac. The Foundation Stone, or Even HaShetiya, marks the place where the world began and where the Holy of Holies stood in the Jewish Temple. Thus, it remains the holiest site in Judaism, towards which Jews pray.
The interior columns differ in size because builders recycled them. The architects took pillars from ruined Roman and Byzantine temples to support the inner arcade. As a result, the columns have varying lengths and styles, which the builders adjusted with different bases.
The inscriptions on the walls explicitly mention Jesus. The Arabic calligraphy inside the dome quotes Quranic verses that discuss Jesus and Mary. Historians suggest that the builders included these specific verses to assert the Islamic view of Jesus to the Christian population of Jerusalem.
Mathematically, the building follows a precise geometric pattern based on the rock. The diameter of the dome exactly matches the height of the walls that support it. Furthermore, this dimension equals the width of the building’s base, creating a perfect harmony of proportions.
It contains no depictions of living beings. Following Islamic tradition, the artisans used complex geometric patterns, plant motifs, and calligraphy to decorate the shrine. Therefore, the art focuses on the beauty of mathematics and the word of God rather than human or animal figures.
The dome itself is actually a double shell. The exterior shape that observers see from the outside is larger than the interior ceiling that visitors see from the inside. This construction technique allows the building to have a towering presence externally while maintaining a proportional interior.
During the British Mandate, the Grand Mufti used black paving stones to create a contrast. He replaced the original flooring around the shrine to make the gold and blue colors pop visually. Consequently, the dark ground emphasizes the brilliance of the structure above it.
Finally, the rock supposedly floats in the air according to some legends. While the stone clearly connects to the bedrock, folklore claims that it tried to follow Muhammad to heaven and stopped only when the Angel Gabriel held it down. Some believers say you can still see the angel’s handprint on the rock.
