The Temple Mount

The colorful and fascinating city of Jerusalem is renowned for its many religious and historical sites, having been a center of importance for the world’s three main religions for thousands of years. Visitors on a trip in Israel are often awestruck to be standing in places they have read about – from the Mount of Olives, to the Gardens of Gethsemane, to the Dome of the Rock and the City of David.

Jerusalem’s Temple Mount dates back around 1400 years, and is where the first Jewish Temple is thought to have been built.

It’s also home to various patches of holy ground – as well as the Dome of the Rock itself.

The Mount is holy to both Muslims and Jews – for Jews it is the place Abraham planned to sacrifice his son – while Muslims believe it to be the place from which Muhammad ascended heavenward.

The Dome of the Rock, situated on the Mount, is one of the most iconic buildings in Jerusalem and the world – its dazzling dome having been reconstructed and re gilded in 24 carat gold.

The El-Aqsa Mosque which is located at the southern edge of the Mount dates back to the 8^th century and acts as an important site for Muslim pilgrimage-  in fact the third holiest site after Mecca and Medina.

Visitors on a trip in Israel enter the Temple Mount via Jerusalem’s Mughrabi Gate – which is accessed from the Western Wall area.

It’s important to wear modest dress which means covering arms and legs- and be prepared for a queue. There is no charge for entering the Temple Mount compound.

• < Prev
• Next >