Page 180 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

178 Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem

Considered one of the first and greatest achievements of
Islamic architecture, the Dome of the Rock is a shrine
constructed in AD 688-91 by the Omayyad caliph Abd
ei-Malik. Built to proclaim the superiority of Islam and
provide an Islamic focal point in the Holy City, the majestic
structure now dominates Jerusalem and is its symbol. The
mathematically harmonious structure echoes elements of Tile above the
south entrance
Classical and Byzantine architecture (Classical Style, see p. 137
and Byzantine S tyle, seep. 148).
A Octagonal arcade of the Dome of the Rode,
above which are Koranic verses
-< Crescent Finial and Dome --------::->6'=1-
-< View of the Dome The dome was originally made
of the Rode with the of copper but is now covered
Muslim quarter in with gold leaf, thanks to the
the background financial support of ltle late
King Hussein of Jordan.

Y Freestanding arcades
top the eight flights of
steps up to the Dome
of the Rock

Drum
The area just beiCMt the
golden dome is the drum.
It is decor a ted with tiles
and verses florn the Koran
that tell of Mohammed's
Night Journey.

-< Well of Souls
This staircase leads down to
a chamber under the Rock
called the Well of Souls.
The dead are said to meet
here twice a month to pray.
Koranic
-<The Rode verses

Y Inner Corridor
The space belWeen the inner
and outer arcades forms a
corridor around ltle Rock. The
shrine's two corridors recall
the ritual circular ~T~Wement
of pilgrims around the Qaaba
in Mecca.

Octagonal Arcade
This is adorned with
original mosaics (AD 692)
and an inscription inviting
Christians to recognize
the truth of Is lam. ~Ail Inner corridor