Al-Aqsa Mosque: The ancient and historical Mosque in Jerusalem (Part – 2)

By asad russel –

What to see at the Al Aqsa Mosque:
The south side of the Haram (Temple Mount) the Al Aqsa Mosque occupies and north to south is oriented. On the north side is the main entrance and the main façade, the Dome of Rock directly facing, and over the mihrab the dome is at the south end.

In the façade the three central bays are Romanesque in style which built by the Templars, with the blind arches and decoration of zigzag, in the 11th and 12th century European churches which seen more commonly. In the 14th century follow the same kind of general design by the Mamelukes the outer arches added. Through the central arch is the entrance.

Dates mostly from the 20th century with seven aisles the interior of the Al Aqsa Mosque. In 1938 to 1942 as the part of a major restoration were rebuilt the nave and the east side of the mosque, by Mussolini of all people during which were donated the Carrara marbel columns, and by the King Farouk of Egypt was funded the colorful painted ceiling.

However do survive some older elements, at the south end including the mihrab, in 1187 by the Saladin was decorated, and in the dome and above the central aisle arch the mosaics, from 1035 which dating. There is a Crusader chapel which known as the Mihrab of Zacharia just east of the mihrab, a lovely rose window this include. For the women’s prayer on the west side another Crusader chapel is used.

Underneath the mosque are hidden even older elements, not normally open to the visitors in an area. The main entrance of the Al Aqsa Mosque just to the left, leads down to an area called Al Aqsa Qadima (Ancient Al-Aqsa) a flight of 16 steps, where with the walled-up Double Gate an ancient ramp connects the Temple Mount.

From Herod’s original south entrance to Temple Mount there is a vestibule containing columns just inside the Double Gate. Two pairs of domes the columns supported, from a reconstruction in the 7th century which dates. To provide support to the above platform more columns were added, in the 8th century from the construction on Al-Aqsa Mosque these probably dates.

Some information for the visitor:
In various names Al-Aqsa Mosque is known like the al-Masjid al-Aqsa, al-Masjid el-Aksa, Farthest Mosque and al-masjid al-Aqsa al-Mubarak. Regionally Al-Aqsa Mosque is located at Jerusalem in Israel. Al-Aqsa Mosque is an ancient mosque. Mainly it is the place for Muslim and Islam though in the past the Crusader captured it and used it. Al-Aqsa Mosque still active in this region with the religious activities. The coordinates of Al-Aqsa Mosque is 31.776264 degree North, 35.235547 degree East. The present site is on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The visiting hours for the visitors in summer from 7:30 am to 11 am and 1:30 pm to 3 pm (Saturday to Thursday) and in winter from 8 am to 10:30 am and 12:30 pm to 2 pm (Saturday to Thursday).



    

Posted by : Unknown 8:33 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

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