Dome of the Rock (Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif)

כיפת הסלע / قبة الصخرة

A 7th-century Islamic masterpiece standing at the center of the Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif platform. Its golden dome is the signature skyline of Jerusalem.

The Dome of the Rock was completed in 691–692 CE under the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik and is one of the oldest surviving Islamic monumental buildings. Its octagonal exterior walls are covered with colorful tiles from the Ottoman period and with calligraphy. Inside the gilded dome is a large rock. In Islamic tradition, it is the starting point of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey. In Jewish tradition, the site is linked to the Holy of Holies of the First and Second Temples, and to the story of Abraham offering Isaac. The platform is called the Temple Mount in Judaism and the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) in Islam. At its southern end stands the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. Religious affairs on the platform are managed by the Islamic Waqf. Non-Muslim visitors are usually only allowed onto the platform to view the exterior, during limited hours from Sunday to Thursday, via the wooden bridge beside the Western Wall plaza (Mughrabi Gate). They may not enter the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The platform is generally closed to non-Muslims on Fridays, Saturdays and Islamic holidays, and opening hours often change at short notice, so arrive early to queue for security checks. Clothing must cover shoulders and knees. Religious objects are prohibited, and religious activities on the platform are not allowed. Before traveling, be sure to check the latest safety advisories from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local Chinese embassy or consulate.

Opening hours

Non-Muslims generally admitted Sunday to Thursday mornings and some afternoon periods (confirm on site)

Islamic architecture · World Heritage · Old town landmarks

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby

More in Jerusalem