<description>Recent content in Jerusalem on Picturing Jordan</description>
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<h4>Golden dome, vibrant tiles, and elegant Arabic calligraphy</h4>
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<p>While not <em>technically</em> in Jordan, Jerusalem&rsquo;s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock">Dome of the Rock</a> is basically just a stone&rsquo;s throw away from Amman (pun intended). Not only is this shrine capped with a golden dome, covered in vibrant Ottoman-era tilework, and adorned with elegant Arabic calligraphy, it also boasts an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_Stone">impressive resume of sacred claims to fame</a>.</p>
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<img src="https://picturingjordan.com/2017/01/IMG_20170117_092406.jpg" alt="The Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount" />
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<h4>The Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount</h4>
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<p>The shrine, built nearly 1,000 years ago, stands atop a hotly contested complex called the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Mount">Temple Mount</a> (&ldquo;Noble Sanctuary&rdquo; in Arabic) that dates back to the Canaanites several thousand years ago—like I said, an impressive resume!</p>
<p>As a secular person it&rsquo;s all a bit too heavy for my taste, but there&rsquo;s no doubt that the complex is stunningly beautiful. Visitation of the Temple Mount is open to the non-Muslim public from 7:30 to 11:00 AM from the access bridge at the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter of the old city.</p></description>