The al-Aqsa mosque

Photos

PrevNext

Excursions

... Read more »

... Read more »

About attractions

Al-Aqsa Mosque

This place is considered one of the most majestic and important in the history of Islam. Built by Caliph Omar Ibn al Khattab in the beginning of the seventh century of our era, the mosque initially was a quite large house for supplication. As we can see the mosque today, it was founded by the Caliph al Malik a century later.
Many times over the centuries of its existence, the mosque was rebuilt. Destroyed by natural phenomena, and again rebuilt. The crusaders, who seized Jerusalem, even turned one part of the mosque to the Church, and the other kept his weapon. When Jerusalem once again changed the government, the Sultan Saladin gave orders to rebuild the mosque.
Located on the Temple Mount, the most sacred place on Earth, the al - Aqsa mosque is third in importance and Holiness for the followers of Islam all over the world. The al - Aqsa mosque linking the tradition about the ascension of Muhammad. The Holy books write that it was meeting Muhammad to prophets Ibrahim, Musa and ' ISA, for which he made his "night journey". It was from here he ascended the stairs of the angels in Heaven.
For a long time the al - Aqsa mosque remained the so-called "Cibley" –the direction towards which worshippers turn. Later, the Qibla was relocated to Mecca.
Inside the mosque is divided into galleries: Central – the wide, slightly elevated above the rest, three galleries on the West side and three from the Eastern. In the centre is the dome, covered with mosaics inside and outside the lead. Seven doors lead into the mosque from the North, and some from the East and South. The interior consists of many arches and columns, as well as a huge basement, known as "Solomon's Stables". The place really was used by the crusaders under the stables.
The walls were covered with incredibly beautiful mosaics and marble, can accommodate more than 5,000 worshippers. She is one of the largest mosques in the world.
Quite often, the mosque of al Aqsa confused with another, also very well known mosque – the mosque dome of the Rock, although the dome of the al-Aqsa mosque is much more modest. But it is the al-Aqsa mosque has a second name – the mosque of Omar, in the name of its founder, the Caliph Omar.
The mosque in the modest clothes, and in strict accordance with Islamic traditions.

Hours of operation:
Sun: 07:30 -10:30 and 12:30 - 13:30
Mon: 07:30 -10:30 and 12:30 - 13:30
W.: 07:30 -10:30 and 12:30 - 13:30
Wed.: 07:30 -10:30 and 12:30 - 13:30
Thurs: 07:30 -10:30 and 12:30 - 13:30
Fri.: 07:30 -10:30 and 12:30 - 13:30
Sat.: 07:30 -10:30 and 12:30 - 13:30

Address: Jerusalem, Old City,Temple Mount
Phone: 972-2-628-20-13
Visits: the Entrance fee