🕌 Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem)
Israel
About This Sacred Site
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Originally the site of Solomon’s First Temple, built c. 957 BCE, it later hosted the Second Temple until its destruction in 70 CE. For Jews, it is the holiest site, believed to be the location of the Holy of Holies. Muslims revere it as Haram al-Sharif, home to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, where Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven. Its layered religious significance makes it a focal point of devotion and geopolitical tension.
Spiritual Significance
The Temple Mount in Jerusalem, established c. 957 BCE with Solomon's First Temple, is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The Western Wall, a surviving retaining wall of the Second Temple destroyed in 70 CE, is Judaism's holiest prayer site, where worshippers insert written prayers into the cracks. Muslims revere the Dome of the Rock, completed in 691 CE by the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik, as the site from which Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during Isra and Mi'raj, commemorated annually on the 27th night of Ramadan. The adjacent Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, is a major destination for Muslim prayers and pilgrimage. Christians honor the site for its biblical significance, including Jesus' visits and teachings in the area. Pilgrims engage in rituals such as prayers at the Western Wall, visitation of the Dome of the Rock, and participation in festivals like Passover, Ramadan, and Easter, reflecting the site's multi-faith importance as documented in the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and Quran.
Key Facts
- •Sacred to three major world religions simultaneously
- •The Dome of the Rock was completed in 691 CE, making it one of the oldest Islamic structures
- •The Western Wall is the last remnant of the Second Temple, destroyed in 70 CE
- •Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam
- •The area covers approximately 35 acres within Jerusalem's Old City
Location
Coordinates: 31.7781, 35.2354
Frequently Asked Questions
What religion is Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) associated with?▾
Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) is a Multi-faith holy site located in Israel. It was established c. 957 BCE (First Temple) and is ranked #3 in our global directory of sacred sites.
When was Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) established?▾
Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) dates back to c. 957 BCE (First Temple). Sacred to three major world religions simultaneously
How many people visit Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) each year?▾
Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) receives approximately 5+ million visitors per year. The Dome of the Rock was completed in 691 CE, making it one of the oldest Islamic structures
What is Temple Mount / Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) known for?▾
Sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — the most contested holy site on Earth. Visitors come seeking spiritual enlightenment, peace, pilgrimage, salvation. The Western Wall is the last remnant of the Second Temple, destroyed in 70 CE
Related Holy Sites
Sacred places connected by country, religion, and purpose
✝️Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The site where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected.
🕎Western Wall (Kotel)
The holiest place where Jews can pray, remnant of the Second Temple.
🏛️Hagia Sophia
A masterpiece that served as cathedral, mosque, and museum across centuries.
⛰️Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa)
Where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.
🕋Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque of Mecca)
The holiest site in Islam, home of the Kaaba, and the destination for Hajj pilgrimage.
⛪Vatican City (St. Peter's Basilica)
The spiritual center of Roman Catholicism and home of the Pope.
