Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dome of the Rock
One of the first and greatest
achievements of Islamic
architecture, the Dome of the
Rock was built in AD 688-91
by the Omayyad caliph
Abd el-Malik. Intended to
proclaim the superiority of
Islam and provide an Islamic focal point
in the Holy City, the majestic structure
now dominates Jerusalem and has
become a symbol of the city. More a
shrine than a mosque, the mathemat-
ically harmonious building echoes
elements of Classical and Byzantine
architecture, including the rotunda of
the Holy Sepulchre
(see pp92-5)
.
Tile above the
south entrance
View of the Dome of the Rock with the
Muslim Quarter in the background
The drum
is decorated
with tiles and verses
from the Quran which
tell of Muhammad's
Night Journey.
.
Tilework
The multicoloured tiles that adorn
the exterior are faithful copies of
Persian tiles that Suleyman
the Magnificent
added in 1545
to replace
the badly
damaged
original
mosaics.
Quranic
verses
The octagonal arcade
is adorned
with original mosaics (
( D 692) and
an inscription inviting Christians
to recognize the truth of Islam.
Marble panel
Inner Ambulatory
The space between
the inner and outer
arcades forms an
ambulatory around
the Rock. The shrine's
two ambulatories
recall the ritual
circular movement
of pilgrims around
the Qaaba in Mecca.
STAR FEATURES
.
Interior of Dome
. Tilework
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p256 and p272
