picturingjordan.com/content/posts/dome-of-the-rock.md

+++
description = "The Dome of the Rock is one of Jerusalem's most sacred and beautiful artefacts."
images = ["/2017/01/IMG_20170117_083551.jpg", "/2017/01/IMG_20170117_092406.jpg"]
date = "2017-01-23T08:53:53+02:00"
title = "The Dome of the Rock"
categories = ["Architecture"]
tags = ["Jerusalem"]
author = "Alan Orth"
slug = "dome-of-the-rock"
+++

{{< figure src="/2017/01/IMG_20170117_083551.jpg" title="Golden dome, vibrant tiles, and elegant Arabic calligraphy" alt="Golden dome, vibrant tiles, and elegant Arabic calligraphy" >}}

While not _technically_ in Jordan, Jerusalem's [Dome of the Rock](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dome_of_the_Rock) is basically just a stone'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 [impressive resume of sacred claims to fame](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_Stone).

<!--more-->

{{< figure src="/2017/01/IMG_20170117_092406.jpg" title="The Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount" alt="The Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount" >}}

The shrine, built nearly 1,000 years ago, stands atop a hotly contested complex called the [Temple Mount](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Mount) ("Noble Sanctuary" in Arabic) that dates back to the Canaanites four thousand years ago — like I said, an impressive resume!

As a secular person it's all a bit too heavy for my taste, but there'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.