The Western Arches
LandmarkLocation:
Locatedacrossthedoor of the western rocktoward Bab al-Mutahra.
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Located in themiddle of the western boundary of theDome of theRock.
LandmarkHistory:
BuiltduringtheUmayyadperiod, in 340 AH - 951 m.
Builder Name:
Renewed at the time of EnthkineGhuriFatimid.
Details of theshape:
-Theyaretwogreatknees in theends, andthreecolumnsCylindrical in themiddle, with twenty-four stairs, forwhoeverwantstoclimbTheRockBowlfromtheSquare of the Western Mosque.
-Directlytothewest of theRock, toward Bab al-Mutahrra, which is closetotheDome of theRock.
-TheyextendtotheRock’snave. Theyareconsideredcomfortabletoclimb. Theyconsist of fourentrances.
-Theorigin of thearchesgoesbacktotheUmayyadperiod, andtheywerementionedbyIbn al-FaqihandNasserKhasrow.
An Overview of theLandmark:
The Western Archesconsist of two hugerocksand 3 cylindricalpillars in themiddle. Theyhave 24 stepsthatleadtotheRock’snavefromthe western court of themosque. Theyarelocated in themiddle of the western side of theDome of theRock, which is right in themiddle of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Theircurrentstructurewasbuilt in 951 (340 A.H.). theywererenovatedduringthe time of theFatimidAnoshtikin Al-Ghouri. Alsotheywererenovated in theOttomanera. TheyarerightacrosstheRock’s western gate. Theyreachthemiddle of theRock’snave, near Al-Mutaharah Gate. Hey areconsideredeasytoclimb. Theyconsist of entrances. TheydatebacktotheUmayyadera. TheywerementionedbyIbn al-FaqihandNasserKhasrow. Theywerecoveredwithconcreteandsomedrawingwerepainted on them. We can stillnoticetheconcrete in theirsouthernside. DuringtheearlyIslamic time, Al-Khader site wasnearthemiddlewestarch. In theAyyubidorMamlukera, it wasmovednearthenorthwesternarch. Theywererenovatedduringthe time of theFatimidAnoshtikin Al-Ghouri, andthenonceagain in theOttomanera.
ARTICLES IN THE CATEGORY
The Southern Arches
LandmarkLocation:
Locatedtowardsthemosqueandleadtothetrophy.
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Located in themiddle of thesouthernedge of theDome of theRock’snave.
LandmarkHistory:
-PerhapsitsestablishmentdatesbacktotheUmayyadperiodbecause it linkedthemosquewiththerock, renewedbytheFatimid’s in 429 AH / 1038 AD, andwasrenovated in theOttomanera. -Itwasbuilt in the time of thesecond Sultan Abdul Hamid in 1310 AH / 1893 AD.
Builder Name:
TheUmayyads.
Details of theshape:
-Theyare three cylindricalcolumns in themiddle. In addition, theleftaretwogreatarches, withnoestablishmentinscription.
-Mentionedby Nasir Khusrousingthe name of the “shrine of theProphet”.
-In theera of theSupremeIslamicCouncil, thearchesprovidedwith a sundial, designedbytheengineer of CouncilRushdiImam in 1345 AH / 1927 AD.
An Overview of theLandmark:
TheSouthernArchesarelocatedtowards Al-Qibli Mosque andleadtotheKa’as in themiddle of thesouthernside of theRock’snave. PerhapsitsestablishmentdatesbacktotheUmayyadperiodbecause it linkedthemosquewiththerock. Thefirst time theywererestoredwas in bytheFatimid’s in 429 AH / 1038 AD, andthesecondwas in theOttomanera, duringthereign of Sultan Abdul Hameed II, in 1893 (1310 A.H.). Theyarethreecylindricalcolumns in themiddle. In addition, theleftaretwogreatarches, withnoestablishmentinscription. Theywerementionedby Nasir Khusrousingthe name of the "shrine of theProphet". *In theera of theSupremeIslamicCouncil, thearchesprovidedwith a sundial, designedbytheengineer of CouncilRushdiImam in 1345 AH / 1927 AD.
The Southeastern Arches
LandmarkLocation:
In themiddle of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Locatedneartheeasternend of thesouthernedge of theRock’snave.
LandmarkHistory:
Established in theFatimidera in 412 AH - 1021 AD byAnushkinGori, andwasrenovated in theAyyubidsera in 608 AH - 1211 AD bythegreatKing Issa Al Ayyubi.
Builder Name:
BuiltduringtheFatimideraandrenewed in theAyyubidsera.
Details of theshape:
-Theyaretwogreatarches in theends, andverticalmarble in thecenter, cylindricalshape, thenumber of Stairs of stoneladder nineteen. – Itsheightrangesbetween 6.5 from 7 m.
-Betweenthesearchesandsouthernarches is a stonecarved inside thestonewall in theshape of a niche, highrise fence, and is believedtohavemadethis a signto Al Qibla.
-It is likelythattheOttomanerawasestablishedwhentheRock’snavewaspavedwiththreeentrances.
An Overview of theLandmark:
Thearchesconsist of two hugerocks in thesides, andtwomarblecylindricalpillars in themiddle. Theyhave 19 stonesteps. Theyareabout 6.5 - 7 meters high. Theyarelocatedneartheeasternside of thesouthernpart of theRock’snave, right in themiddle of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Theywerebuilt in theFatimidera, in 1021 (412 A.H.), byAnushkinGori, andwererenovated in theAyyubidsera in 1211 (608 A.H.), byKing Issa the Great. Theirstyle of building is verybeautiful. BetweenthesearchesandSouthernArches is a stonecarved inside thestonewall in theshape of a niche, highrise fence, and is believedtohavemadethis a signto Al Qibla. it’s not knownwhen it wasbuilt. Somepeople say it wasprobablybuilt in theOttomanera, whentheRock’snavewaspaved.
The Eastern Arches
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Theeasternedge of theRock’snave.
LandmarkHistory:
Probablyestablished in theUmayyadera, rebuilt in theAbbasidperiod, in thetenthcentury AD - thefourthHijri.
Builder Name:
TheUmayyadandtheAbbasidsrenewedthem.
Details of theshape:
-Thelargest of thebouldersaroundtheRock’snave, where it consists of twogreatarches, fourcylindricalpillars of marble, connectthecourtyard of themosqueeasternRock’snavewith twenty-two Stairs, andthreeotherdegrees, height 6.5 m.
-Overlookingthe western slopes of the Mount of Olivesanditsramparts on stones, noinscription on.
-MentionedbyNasser in his visitto Jerusalem 438 AH / 1047 AD where he said: ((Also on theeasternside a greatroadsimilar, Columnsabove it arehoopsand a balconyand is calledtheeasternshrine, Al-‘Umaripointsoutthatthe two approaches, fromitsfiveentries, closedandremaineduntil 1945 whentheCounciltheIslamicSupremeCouncilopenedalltheentrancesandreconstructedthestairsthat had become of twenty-fiveStairsinstead of thirty-six Stairs of Al-‘Umari age.
An Overview of theLandmark:
TheEasternArchesconsist of two hugerocksand 4 marblecylindricalpillars. Thereachtheeasterncourt of theRock’snave, by 25 steps. Theyare 6.5 meters high. Theyarelocated in theeasternend of theRock’snave, which is in themiddle of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Theywereprobablybuilt in theUmayyadera, andrebuilt in theAbbasidperiod, in the 10th century, that is the 4th Hijri century. TheyarethelargestarchesaroundtheRock’snave. Theyoverlookthe western slopes of the Mount of Olivesanditsramparts on stones, noinscription on them. TheywerementionedbyNasserKhasru in his visitto Jerusalem 438 AH / 1047 AD, where he said: ((Also on theeasternside a greatroadsimilar, Columnsabove it arehoopsand a balconyand is calledtheeasternshrine, Al-'Umaripointsoutthatthetwoapproaches, fromitsfiveentries, closedandremaineduntil 1945 whentheCounciltheIslamicSupremeCouncilopenedalltheentrancesandreconstructedthestairsthat had become of twenty-fiveStairs instead of thirty-sixStairs of Al-'Umari age.
The Northeastern Arches
Landmark Location:
On the east side.
Landmark Location relative to Dome of the rock:
At the north end of the Rock’s nave.
Landmark History:
In the Mamluk era at 726 AH - 1325 AD and there is inscription on the western Barges that refers to the arches renewed at the time of the Ottoman Sultan Sultan al-Qanooni.
Builder Name:
Prince Idmar Shuja’e during the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalawun.
Details of the shape:
–Two large bulks and two cylindrical columns in the center, with height of 7 meters.
-The stone stairway includes eleven Stairs. The arches are located off the road leading to Bab Hetta. It is composed of three entrances and located on the face inscriptions, and one of them indicates that they were built during the reign of Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalawun. The cobble of the mosque was renewed. The arches are beautiful, decorated with pillow decorations and its balcony, which hangs from Roofed shapes.
An Overview of the Landmark:
They are two great arches from the sides and two cylindrical columns in the center, with 7 meters height, the arches are located on the eastern side of Al-Aqsa Mosque and specifically the northern end of the Dome of the Rock. Their floor was renewed in the Mamluk era during the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalawun, by Prince Idmar Shuja’i in the year 726 AH – 1325 AD.
Its stone staircase consists of two layers, featuring eleven Stairs. The arches are located off the road leading to Bab Hetta, and consist of three entrances and a qibli face. These arches are of the most beautiful arches in the nave, since they are engraved with exquisite roofed shapes resembling bee houses or honeycomb tablets.
Northern Arches
LandmarkLocation:
Locatedacrosstheroadleadingtothe Gate of Honor of theProphets.
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Located on thenorthside of theRock’snave.
LandmarkHistory:
ItwasdemolishedduringtheCrusaderperiodandrebuilt in theMamlukperiodduringtheSultan'sreignMohammed bin Qalawun.
Builder Name:
DatingbacktotheUmayyadera.
Details of theshape:
-Theyaretwogreatarches in thetwoendsand two columns in center, consisting of threeentrances.
-MentionedbyIbn al-Faqihand Nasir Khusro in the name of Maqam Al-Shami. Khosrosaid, fiftyyears beforetheCrusaderoccupation, thatAlmakamAlshami is greaterthantheotherarches, indicatingthattheywerecomposed of five or six entrancesduringtheAphroditeoccupation. ThetravelerYohanasaidthatthenorthernside of thenave had nostairsandarches, but builtuponthemmonasteries of thepriests.
An Overview of theLandmark:
TheNorthernArchesarelocated on theroadthatlinksSharaf Al-Anbiya’a Gate withtheRock’snave. ItwasdemolishedduringtheCrusaderperiodandrebuilt in theMamlukperiodduringtheSultan'sreignMohammed bin Qalawoun. Theyaretwogreatarches in thetwoendsandtwocolumns in center, consisting of threeentrances. TheywerementionedbyIbn al-Faqihand Nasir Khusro in the name of Maqam Al-Shami. Khosrosaid, fiftyyearsbeforetheCrusaderoccupation, thatAlmakamAlshami is greaterthantheotherarches, indicatingthattheywerecomposed of five or sixentrances duringtheAphroditeoccupation. ThetravelerYohanasaidthatthenorthernside of thenave had nostairsandarches, but builtuponthemmonasteries of thepriests.
Northwestern Arches
LandmarkLocation:
BetweenthenorthernretreatsandtheDome of theRock.
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Located on thenorthwestcorner of theSupervisedRockSquare.
LandmarkHistory:
In theMamlukera, in 778 AH - 1376 AD, thenrenewed in theOttomanera.
Builder Name:
TheMamluks.
Details of theshape:
-Theyaretwolargearches in thetwoendsandthreecolumns, Cylindrical in themiddle, stoneladderwith 23 stairs, withheight of 7 m.
-Thearchesarelocatedacross Bab Al Nazir neartheDome of theSpirits, andconsist of fourentrances. KingShaabanalashrafrenewedthecorridorbetweenthegate of Al Alasbatandthegate of Hettawiththeminaret.
-Therearewonderfulcoloreddecorativecirclesthatresemblethose on thefront.
-TheOttomanschoolabovethedoor of al Mutahhara, at theendJudgeMagir Eddin shows he followingwords: (architecture of the Western-style Al-Nasser in theoppositenave of therock. For thedoor of Al Nazir which is renewed in theyear 778.
An Overview of theLandmark:
The Northwestern Archesconsist of twobigrocks on thesidesand 3 cylindricalpillars in themiddle. Itsstoneladder has 23 steps. Thearchesare 7 meters high. Thearchesarelocatedacross Bab Al Nazir neartheDome of theSpirits, betweentheNorthernSolitudePlacesand Al-KhaderDome, on thenorthwesterncorner of theHolyDome’scourt. Theywerebuilt in theMamlukera, in 1376 (778 A.H.), andrestored in theOttomanera. Theyhave 4 entrances. KingShaabanalashrafrenewedthecorridorbetweenAlasbatandHittagateswiththeminaret. Therearewonderfulcoloreddecorativecirclesthatresemblethose on thefront. TheOttomanschoolabovethedoor of al Mutahhara, at theendJudgeMagir Eddin shows he followingwords: (architecture of the Western-style Al-Nasser in theoppositenave of therock. For thedoor of Al Nazir which is renewed in theyear 778.
The Western Arches
LandmarkLocation:
Locatedacrossthedoor of the western rocktoward Bab al-Mutahra.
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Located in themiddle of the western boundary of theDome of theRock.
LandmarkHistory:
BuiltduringtheUmayyadperiod, in 340 AH - 951 m.
Builder Name:
Renewed at the time of EnthkineGhuriFatimid.
Details of theshape:
-Theyaretwogreatknees in theends, andthreecolumnsCylindrical in themiddle, with twenty-four stairs, forwhoeverwantstoclimbTheRockBowlfromtheSquare of the Western Mosque.
-Directlytothewest of theRock, toward Bab al-Mutahrra, which is closetotheDome of theRock.
-TheyextendtotheRock’snave. Theyareconsideredcomfortabletoclimb. Theyconsist of fourentrances.
-Theorigin of thearchesgoesbacktotheUmayyadperiod, andtheywerementionedbyIbn al-FaqihandNasserKhasrow.
An Overview of theLandmark:
The Western Archesconsist of two hugerocksand 3 cylindricalpillars in themiddle. Theyhave 24 stepsthatleadtotheRock’snavefromthe western court of themosque. Theyarelocated in themiddle of the western side of theDome of theRock, which is right in themiddle of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Theircurrentstructurewasbuilt in 951 (340 A.H.). theywererenovatedduringthe time of theFatimidAnoshtikin Al-Ghouri. Alsotheywererenovated in theOttomanera. TheyarerightacrosstheRock’s western gate. Theyreachthemiddle of theRock’snave, near Al-Mutaharah Gate. Hey areconsideredeasytoclimb. Theyconsist of entrances. TheydatebacktotheUmayyadera. TheywerementionedbyIbn al-FaqihandNasserKhasrow. Theywerecoveredwithconcreteandsomedrawingwerepainted on them. We can stillnoticetheconcrete in theirsouthernside. DuringtheearlyIslamic time, Al-Khader site wasnearthemiddlewestarch. In theAyyubidorMamlukera, it wasmovednearthenorthwesternarch. Theywererenovatedduringthe time of theFatimidAnoshtikin Al-Ghouri, andthenonceagain in theOttomanera.
The Southwestern Arches
LandmarkLocation:
Locatedtowardsthedoor of theseriesadjacenttothegrammarschool in thesouth.
LandmarkLocationrelativetoDome of therock:
Located on the western edge of theRock’snave.
LandmarkHistory:
EstablishedbyPrinceNasser Al-Din MuhammadNashashibiduringthereign of Sultan Ashraf Abu NasrQaitbay in theMamlukperiod 877 AH / 1472 AD.
Builder Name:
PrinceNasser Al-Din MohammedNashashibi.
Details of theshape:
-Theyaretwogreatarches in thesidesandtwocolumns of themarble is in themiddle, 7 m highand is connectedto a stonestaircasewhichconsists of twenty-fourstairs, andthere is a smallniche in thewall.
-ThehistorianMujair Al-Din saidtherewas a narrowstaircase in theirplace. ThearchesarelikelyfromtheOttomaneraandwerebuiltwhentheRock’snave had beenfloored.
An Overview of theLandmark:
Theyare two greatrocks in thesidesandtwomarblepillars in themiddle. Theyare 7 meters highandareconnectedto a stonestaircasewhichconsists of twenty-foursteps. There is a smallniche in thewall. Theyarelocatedwest of theRock’snave. TheywerebuiltbyPrinceNasser Al-Din MuhammadNashashibi, duringthereign of Sultan Ashraf Abu NasrQait Bey in theMamlukperiod, specifically in 877 AH / 1472 AD. Thesearcheare of themostrecentones in theRock’snave. Theyarelocatedacross As-Silsila Gate, rightnextto An-Nahwiyyah School. Theyconsist of 3 entrnces. Goingupthem is sotiresome, becausetheirstepsaretoonarrow. ThehistorianMujair Al-Din saidtherewas a narrowstaircase in theirplace.