In Jerusalem: visiting the Dome of the Rock
The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was initially completed in 691 at the order of Um Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik during the Second Fitna, built on the site of the Roman temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, which had in turn been built on the site of Herod’s Temple, destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AC. The original dome collapsed in 1016 and was rebuilt in 1021. The Dome of the Rock is in its core one of the oldest extant works of Islamic architecture. Entry is through a wooden walkway next to the entrance to the Western Wall. According to most Orthodox Rabbinical authorities, as well as all of Israel's Chief Rabbis since it's founding, it is forbidden for Jews to go onto the Temple Mount. This is for religious reasons and not due to any political considerations. These photos were taken in March 2016 and show tourists from different countries visiting Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.