The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. Completed in 691–692 CE during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, it is one of the oldest extant works of Islamic architecture. The structure is built over the Foundation Stone, a site of profound religious significance in both Judaism and Islam.
The building is renowned for its octagonal plan and its iconic golden dome, which dominates the Jerusalem skyline. Its interior is decorated with intricate mosaics, marble, and calligraphy, reflecting a synthesis of Byzantine and Sassanid artistic influences. It remains a central site of pilgrimage and a focal point of the religious and political landscape of the Middle East.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Gold leaf, Ceramic tiles, Marble, Wood
- Civilization
- Umayyad Caliphate
- Accessibility
- Restricted to non-Muslims; specific entry hours apply
- Date(s)
- 691-692 CE
- Condition
- Well-preserved, active religious site
- Original Function
- Shrine and commemorative monument
- Key Figures
- Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, Suleiman the Magnificent
Construction and Origins
7th Century CECommissioned by Caliph Abd al-Malik, the structure was built to commemorate the site of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey and to assert the presence of Islam in Jerusalem. It was constructed on the site of the former Second Temple.
Crusader Period
1099-1187 CEFollowing the Crusader conquest of Jerusalem, the Dome was converted into a church known as the Templum Domini. It was placed under the administration of the Augustinian Canons and later the Knights Templar, who believed the site was the location of Solomon's Temple.
Ayyubid and Ottoman Restoration
12th-16th CenturyAfter Saladin recaptured Jerusalem in 1187, the building was restored to its Islamic function. Significant renovations occurred under Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, who replaced the exterior mosaics with the iconic Iznik tiles.
Modern Era
20th Century - PresentThe 20th century saw major restoration projects, including the replacement of the lead dome with an aluminum-bronze alloy in the 1960s, which was later gilded in the 1990s through a donation by King Hussein of Jordan.