Al Aqsa Mosque
Al Aqsa Mosque - Jerusalem
Al Aqsa Mosque, the other structure on the
Temple
Mount, is the largest mosque in Jerusalem with a prayer capacity of 5000.
Considered the world's third most important Islamic shrine, the Al Aqsa
Mosque (Al Aqsa means "farthest") was first built in the 8th century, then repeatedly rebuilt after
destruction by earthquakes. The Al Aqsa Mosque above is the fifth or
sixth reconstruction of the original Al Aqsa Mosque.
After the bustling, narrow alleys of Old Jerusalem, the vast open expanse of the Temple Mount, which is totally flat and free of structures except the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, was a breath of fresh air. Of course, the Temple Mount wasn't so empty 2,000 years ago - long before the first Al Aqsa Mosque was built - when the area was dominated by the second temple of Jerusalem. Today's open expanse is the work of Titus, the Roman general who in 70 AD destroyed that temple, razed the Temple Mount area and scattered the Jews after they rebelled against Rome.
Travel Tip
As in any foreign land, greeting the locals in their language shows respect for their culture and wins friends, or at least answers to your questions about directions. To greet a Jew, say "Shalom", which means "Peace". The greeting for an Arab is a bit longer: "Salaam Wa Ah-lay-koom", which means "Peace be with you".
After the bustling, narrow alleys of Old Jerusalem, the vast open expanse of the Temple Mount, which is totally flat and free of structures except the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, was a breath of fresh air. Of course, the Temple Mount wasn't so empty 2,000 years ago - long before the first Al Aqsa Mosque was built - when the area was dominated by the second temple of Jerusalem. Today's open expanse is the work of Titus, the Roman general who in 70 AD destroyed that temple, razed the Temple Mount area and scattered the Jews after they rebelled against Rome.
Travel Tip
As in any foreign land, greeting the locals in their language shows respect for their culture and wins friends, or at least answers to your questions about directions. To greet a Jew, say "Shalom", which means "Peace". The greeting for an Arab is a bit longer: "Salaam Wa Ah-lay-koom", which means "Peace be with you".