Dome Of The Rock | History, Architecture, & Significance - Britannica

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• Introduction
• Architecture
• Historical context and construction
• Purpose and significance

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External Websites

• Bridgewater State University - Virtual Commons - The Dome of the Rock and the Politics of Restoration
• OpenSIUC - The Dome of the Rock (PDF)
• DigitalCommons at UNO - Jerusalem Obscured: The Crescent on the Temple: The Dome of the Rock as Image of the Ancient Jewish Sanctuary (PDF)
• University of Idaho - Dome of the Rock
• National Geographic - An unprecedented look inside one of JerusalemÂ’s holiest—and most controversial—landmarks
• Internet Archive - Dome of the rock in Jerusalem: description of its structure and decoration)
• Pressbooks - The Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra)

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Dome of the Rock shrine, Jerusalem Ask Anything Quick Summary Homework Help Also known as: Qubbat al-Ṣakhrah Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Feb. 28, 2026 •History Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions

• What is the Dome of the Rock?
• Where is the Dome of the Rock located?
• Why is the Dome of the Rock important to different religions?
• When was the Dome of the Rock built?
• What are some special features of the Dome of the Rock's architecture?
• How has the Dome of the Rock influenced art and culture in the region?

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Dome of the Rock, shrine in Jerusalem built by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān in the late 7th century ce. It is the oldest extant Islamic monument.

The structure is situated on a flat elevated plaza known to Muslims as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf (“The Noble Sanctuary”) and to Jews as the Temple Mount (the site where the Temple of Jerusalem once stood). According to Muslims, the rock above which the dome is constructed is the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad was taken up into heaven for an encounter with God (an event known as the Miʿrāj). Nearby, on the southern extreme of the plaza, is Al-Aqṣā Mosque; Muslims believe the Prophet was miraculously transported there from Mecca on the night of his encounter (see Isrāʾ). The term “Al-Aqṣā Mosque” is commonly extended to denote the entire plaza and, consequently, to the Dome of the Rock itself.

Architecture

The Dome of the Rock’s structure and ornamentation are rooted in the Byzantine architectural tradition, yet its construction in the 7th century represents an early stage in the emergence of a distinct Islamic visual style. The structure, positioned near the centre of a wide raised platform, comprises an octagonal base topped by a gilded wooden central dome. The dome, which is approximately 65 feet (20 metres) in diameter and is mounted on an elevated drum, rises above a circle of 16 piers and columns. Surrounding this circle is an octagonal arcade of 24 piers and columns. Below the dome a portion of the sacred rock is exposed and protected by a railing. A stairway leads to a natural cave beneath the surface of the rock. The outer walls also form an octagon, with each of the eight sides being approximately 60 feet (18 metres) wide and 36 feet (11 metres) high. Both the dome and the exterior walls contain many windows.

Arabic: Qubbat al-Ṣakhrah (Show more) On the Web: National Geographic - An unprecedented look inside one of JerusalemÂ’s holiest—and most controversial—landmarks (Feb. 28, 2026) (Show more) See all related content

The interior and exterior of the structure are decorated with marble, mosaics, and metal plaques. Although the mosaics are similar in technique to those found in Byzantine public buildings and churches, the Dome of the Rock’s mosaics exclude any representations of human or animal forms, instead featuring Arabic script and vegetal patterns intermixed with images of items such as jewels and crowns. Arabic religious inscriptions run around the octagonal arcade.