In addition to its religious significance, it is one of the oldest and most beautiful monuments of early Islamic architecture, having regular proportional outlines and an internal ornate patterned mosaic ornament. The mosque was built during the reign of the Umayyad dynasty next to the Al-Aqsa Mosque on top of the Temple Mount (Mount Moriah) in Jerusalem, sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians. The golden dome of Kubbat al-Sakhra is visible from afar and is a symbol of Jerusalem.
The Dome of the Rock is often mistakenly identified with the Mosque of Omar (Al-Aqsa).Kubbat al-Sakhra and Al-Aqsa are two completely different Islamic temples, but together they form a single complex — Haram Al-Sharif.
The Kubbat al-Sakhra Mosque was built in Jerusalem in 687-691 by two Arab engineers Raja ben Khaiva and Yazid bin Salam at the behest of the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik on the site of the Jerusalem temple destroyed by the Romans. The building was rebuilt many times, suffered from earthquakes and invasions.Since 1250, the Dome of the Rock has belonged to Muslims.
Inside the dome there is a part of the rock from which, according to legend, the prophet Muhammad made a miraj — "leap into the sky".The Archangel Gabriel (Jabril) woke the prophet at night in Mecca and the Prophet Muhammad was transported on a winged horse Al-Buraq (Lightning) to Jerusalem, where he prayed at the Al-Aqsa mosque and then from the place where the Dome of the Rock stands, climbed the stairs to heaven and appeared before Allah and received the covenant of the Muslim faith.The Dome of the Rock contains the imprint of Muhammad's foot and three of his hairs.
It is believed that this rock is the Foundation Stone or the Cornerstone on the Temple Mount, above which the Holy of Holies of the Jerusalem Temple was located, i.e. the cornerstone of the universe, since it was from it that the Lord began the Creation of the world.
There are 4 powerful pillars around the perimeter of the rock, holding the dome and many light elegant columns.The current dome is 20 m in diameter, its height is 34 m.The number of architectural elements of each type is strictly a multiple of four — the sacred number of Muslims.
Kubbat al-Sakhra is one of the oldest and most beautiful monuments of early Islamic architecture, has regular proportional outlines and richly decorated patterned mosaic ornament.The architects managed to create a building that reigns over the city...
Now the Dome of the Rock is not used as a mosque. It is an architectural monument protecting the stone from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended. The interior is striking in its splendor: the walls are lined with patterned marble, covered with mosaics, the capitals of the columns are gilded, the beams and lintels of the four doors are lined with bronze plates with chasing and gilding.
The white-blue-green-gold scale characteristic of Islam is strictly observed.
When you stand next to it and admire this splendor, you just feel your connection with the Biblical times, as a descendant...Come to these Holy Places and feel it for yourself...