The Temple Mount & Dome of the Rock: Jerusalem’s Iconic Golden Crown

Sagi Haim Levy
Apr 13
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

If there is one image that defines Jerusalem, it is the gleaming golden dome rising above the ancient stone walls of the Old City. The Temple Mount (Har HaBayit) and the Dome of the Rock represent some of the most sacred real estate on earth. As a private tour guide in Israel, I believe a visit here is essential to understanding the complex, beautiful, and layered history of this city.

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Why the Temple Mount is the Heart of Jerusalem

For thousands of years, this plateau has been the focus of world history. It is a site where faith, architecture, and archaeology collide.

Judaism: This is the site of the First and Second Temples, the location of the Foundation Stone, and the holiest place in the Jewish faith.
Islam: Known as Haram al-Sharif (The Noble Sanctuary), it is the third holiest site in Islam and the location of the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey.
Christianity: The mount figures prominently in the life of Jesus, from his presentation as a child to his teachings in the Temple courts.

The Dome of the Rock: An Architectural Masterpiece

Completed in 691 CE, the Dome of the Rock is the oldest extant Islamic monument in the world. Its blue Persian tiles and 24-karat gold-leaf dome are breathtaking up close. While non-Muslims cannot enter the shrine itself, standing on the plaza allows you to appreciate the intricate geometric mosaics and the sheer scale of this Umayyad-era marvel.

Walking the Noble Sanctuary

A tour of the plaza includes more than just the Dome. We explore the Al-Aqsa Mosque (the silver-domed mosque), the Dome of the Chain, and the elegant Mamluk-style fountains and arches (Qanats) that dot the platform. Every stone tells a story of a different empire—from the Roman foundations laid by Herod the Great to the Crusader alterations.

5 Facts About the Temple Mount

The Foundation Stone: Inside the Dome of the Rock lies the Even HaShetiya. In Jewish tradition, this is the very spot where the world was created and where Abraham bound Isaac. In Islamic tradition, it is the rock from which Muhammad ascended to heaven.
The Golden Dome wasn't always Gold: Originally, the dome was built of wood with a lead covering. It wasn't until the 1960s that it was covered in aluminum bronze, and finally, in 1993, the late King Hussein of Jordan donated $8 million to coat it in 80 kilograms of real 24-karat gold.
A "Mountain" of Recycling: If you look closely at the pillars and capitals around the Dome of the Rock, you’ll see they don't all match. The early builders "recycled" beautiful marble columns and ornate capitals from ruined Byzantine and Roman structures across the region to build the sanctuary.
The Largest Man-Made Plateau: In the 1st Century BCE, King Herod the Great doubled the size of the Temple Mount, making it the largest man-made platform in the ancient world. It is so large that it could hold roughly 24 football fields!
The Secret Rainwater System: Since ancient times, the mount has been a masterpiece of engineering. Beneath the plaza lie 37 massive cisterns carved into the rock, capable of holding over 10 million gallons of water, a vital survival mechanism for ancient Jerusalem during droughts.

Visitor Info: Temple Mount & Dome of the Rock

Opening Hours: Non-Muslim visitors can enter Monday–Thursday.
- Summer: 07:30 – 11:00 & 13:30 – 14:30.
- Winter: 07:30 – 10:30 & 12:30 – 13:30.
- Closed to tourists on Fridays, Saturdays, and during Muslim holidays.
Tickets: Entry to the Temple Mount plaza is free.
Security & Access: Entry is only via the Mughrabi Bridge (the wooden ramp near the Western Wall). Expect a thorough security check.
Top Tip: Strict Dress Code Required. Shoulders and knees must be covered for both men and women. No religious items (Bibles, prayer books, etc.) or political symbols are allowed on the mount.
Location: Click here for Google Maps Directions