The Dome of the Rock

Jerusalem, Palestine · The golden dome at the heart of al-Aqsa

One of the oldest Islamic monuments, known for its golden dome and the mosaics adorning its walls inside and out.

Did you know?

The Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan built it; it is the oldest major Islamic building still standing in its original form.
The golden dome is the Dome of the Rock, while the Qibli prayer hall has a lead-grey dome; both are part of al-Masjid al-Aqsa.
Its plan is octagonal, surrounding a rock beneath which lies a small cave.
Inside, it bears Qur'anic inscriptions dated 72 AH, among the oldest dated Qur'anic inscriptions.

History and architecture

In the year 72 AH, Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan ordered a dome built over the noble Rock inside the grounds of al-Masjid al-Aqsa. The building was designed as a harmonious octagon topped by a high dome, its interior walls clothed in golden and green mosaics, with a band of Qur'anic verses running around the space. The dome became the symbol of all Jerusalem and a witness to the brilliance of early Islamic architecture. It was restored many times over the ages; the Ottomans added blue ceramic tiles to its outer walls, and its dome was re-gilded in the twentieth century. It still shines over Jerusalem, catching the eye from every hill of the city. Beneath the Rock is a small cave reached by a staircase, where visitors pray, known in popular tradition as the Well of Souls.

Founded: 72 AH / 691–692 CE

Religious significance

It is one of the landmarks of the blessed al-Masjid al-Aqsa, of which Allah says: “whose surroundings We have blessed” (Al-Isra 17:1).

In Muslim hearts the place is tied to the night of the Isra and Mi'raj, and the well-known view is that the Ascension took place from the Rock.

Prayer anywhere in al-Masjid al-Aqsa, including the Dome of the Rock, falls under the virtue of al-Aqsa, to which people may set out on a special journey (Bukhari and Muslim).

Visiting tips

Best time: After the Fajr prayer, as the first light touches the dome. Entry may be restricted, so check the situation before visiting.
Photography: From the Mount of Olives, or from the steps of the southern courtyard, where the dome appears framed by the arches known as al-Mawazin.
Nearby: The Qibli Mosque, Al-Marwani Prayer Hall, Bab al-Rahmah, Al-Buraq Wall

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Frequently asked questions

Where is The Dome of the Rock?

The Dome of the Rock is in Jerusalem, Palestine.

When was The Dome of the Rock founded?

72 AH / 691–692 CE