Dome of the Rock: History, Significance, and Controversy Explained

There are few places on Earth where faith, history, and politics intersect as vividly as on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. At its heart sits the Dome of the Rock, a golden-crowned shrine that has drawn pilgrims, scholars, and disputes for over 1,300 years. This guide unpacks what makes the site extraordinary – from its 7th-century origins to the very real restrictions non-Muslims face today. You’ll walk away with a clear picture of why this single building matters to billions of people.

Year completed: 691–692 CE · Location: Temple Mount, Jerusalem · Builder: Caliph Abd al-Malik · Architectural style: Early Islamic, Byzantine influence · Dome material: Gold anodized aluminum (modern), originally gold leaf · Height (dome): 20.4 meters (67 ft)

A handful of key numbers, one pattern: the Dome of the Rock is as much a political landmark as a religious one, and every dimension carries meaning.

The implication: a structure that is both ancient and actively maintained by a foreign religious authority – a rare combination that fuels the site’s sensitivity.

What is so special about the Dome of the Rock?

Historical significance

• It is the world’s oldest surviving Islamic monument, built between 685 and 692 CE under the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik (The Metropolitan Museum of Art (leading art institution)).
• The site on the Temple Mount has been holy for millennia: it housed the First and Second Jewish Temples before the Dome was built (The Metropolitan Museum of Art (leading art institution)).

Architectural uniqueness

• The octagonal plan and central dome – 20.4 meters high – remain close to the original design, combining Byzantine mosaics with early Islamic motifs (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• Inside, over 1,200 square meters of mosaics and Quranic inscriptions cover the walls (The Metropolitan Museum of Art (leading art institution)).

Religious importance in Islam

• Muslims believe the rock at the center is where the Prophet Muhammad began his Night Journey to heaven (Isra and Mi’raj) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
• The Dome is a shrine, not a mosque – though it is often confused with the nearby al-Aqsa Mosque (BiblePlaces (biblical geography resource)).

Why this matters: the Dome is not just an architectural masterpiece; it is a living symbol that three major religions each claim as their own, making it a source of both wonder and friction.

Is the Dome of the Rock for Jews?

Jewish historical connection to the site

• The Temple Mount is identified as the location of Solomon’s Temple (built c. 957 BCE) and the Second Temple (destroyed 70 CE) (The Metropolitan Museum of Art (leading art institution)).
• The Foundation Stone under the Dome is the holiest site in Judaism, where the Holy of Holies once stood (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Current access and worship restrictions

• Jews are allowed to visit the Temple Mount compound during set hours, but they are not permitted to pray or perform religious ceremonies there (The Times of Israel (Israeli news publication)).
• Israeli police enforce strict rules to avoid friction with the Muslim authorities who manage the site (The Times of Israel (Israeli news publication)).

Relationship with the Temple Mount

• To Jews, the entire Temple Mount is the most sacred ground; to Muslims, the same platform (Haram al-Sharif) is the third holiest site in Islam.
• The Dome of the Rock physically marks the space Jews revere as the Holy of Holies, yet it is a Muslim sanctuary.

The trade-off: for Jews, the Dome is a permanent reminder of what was lost and what is now off-limits; for Muslims, it is a sacred shrine that also serves as a nationalist symbol under occupation.

What is under the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem?

The Foundation Stone (Sakhra)

• The exposed bedrock in the center is the Foundation Stone, considered in Judaism the spot where God created the world and where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac (The Metropolitan Museum of Art (leading art institution)).
• In Islam, it is believed to be the site from which Muhammad ascended to heaven (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Cave underneath the rock (Well of Souls)

• Beneath the Foundation Stone is a small cave known as the Well of Souls, where tradition says the souls of the dead can be heard (BiblePlaces (biblical geography resource)).
• The cave is accessible via a staircase, but it is rarely open to visitors.

Archaeological layers

• No major buildings lie directly under the Dome; the rock itself is the centerpiece. Archaeological excavations on the Temple Mount are heavily restricted, so the precise layers of earlier structures remain partly unknown (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

The pattern: from bedrock to gold, every layer of this monument has been reimagined by each successive ruler – a physical palimpsest of faiths.

Why can’t non-Muslims enter the Dome of the Rock?

Religious sanctity and control by the Islamic Waqf

• The Dome of the Rock is an active Muslim shrine; the Jordanian-administered Islamic Waqf has full authority over the site and restricts entry to Muslims only (The Times of Israel (Israeli news publication)).
• Non-Muslim prayer is prohibited anywhere on the Temple Mount.

Political sensitivity

• Since the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000, the Dome itself has been closed to all non-Muslims (The Times of Israel (Israeli news publication)).
• Before 2000, non-Muslims could pay to enter; the policy change was a direct result of heightened tensions.

Exceptions and visual access

• Non-Muslims may enter the Temple Mount compound during restricted hours (Sunday–Thursday, 7:30–11:00 a.m. and 1:30–2:30 p.m., subject to change).
• They cannot enter the Dome of the Rock or the al-Aqsa Mosque. Rare exceptions are made for diplomats and VIPs.

What this means: if you want to see the mosaics and the Foundation Stone, you must be Muslim – or wait for the rare diplomatic breakthrough that might reopen the shrine to all.

Why is the Dome of the Rock so controversial?

Religious rivalries

• The site is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, and each group holds exclusive theological claims that leave no room for compromise. Christians also revere it for biblical associations.
• Attempts by some extremist Jewish groups to pray on the Temple Mount are seen as provocations by Muslims worldwide.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

• The Dome of the Rock has been a flashpoint for violence: the 1990 Temple Mount riots killed 17 Palestinians, and the 2017 crisis over metal detectors triggered clashes (The Times of Israel (Israeli news publication)).
• UNESCO resolutions refer to the site solely as “Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram al-Sharif” and avoid the term “Temple Mount,” reflecting the diplomatic battle over naming.

Historical and political claims

• Israel controls the Old City of Jerusalem but has left the holy site under Jordanian custodianship – a delicate arrangement that has held since 1967.
• Any change to the status quo (access, renovations, prayer rights) risks inflaming tensions across the Middle East.

The consequence: the Dome of the Rock is not just a monument; it is a barometer of Israeli-Palestinian relations, and its golden dome catches the light – and the attention of the entire world.

For anyone planning a visit to Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock remains a site of profound beauty and deep political weight. The only way to truly see it is to understand both the faith that shapes it and the restrictions that guard it. For the traveler, the choice is clear: admire from afar, respect the rules, and read the history – because the Dome of the Rock is never just a building.

Related coverage: the Dome of the Rock fördjupar bilden av Dome of the Rock – History, Interior and Religious Significance.

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