The Dome of the Rock

The most well-known Muslim site in Jerusalem is the Dome of the Rock, which, like the Ka`ba in Mecca, is built over a sacred stone.

It is a unique and beautiful artistic piece of Islamic architecture built by Abd el-Malek in 691.

The structure of the temple, mounted by the vast gold-painted wooden cupola which gives it its name, is built in a style which more closely resembles the Roman or Byzantine Christian temples, with two concentric octagonal circumferences of pillars centered on the Rock itself.

The interiors of the temple are covered with intricate floral patterns, calligraphy and mosaics, making it unusually elaborate, but delightful to the senses.

The walls are decorated with verses from the Koran, the ceiling is tiled in red, gold and black shards and the exterior`s tiled facade is magical.