What is the Dome of the Rock?

The Dome of the Rock, built in the late 7th century CE by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān in Jerusalem, is the oldest extant Islamic monument. It is situated on the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf ("The Noble Sanctuary"). Muslims believe that the rock the Dome is built over marks the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Its architecture relates to Byzantine religious buildings, and its grand scale and lavish decoration may have been intended to rival Jerusalem’s Christian holy buildings. The Dome's inscriptions emphasize the unity of God and reject Christian doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus.

Where is the Dome of the Rock located?

The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located in Jerusalem. It was constructed in the late 7th century CE by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān and is considered the oldest extant Islamic monument. The shrine is situated on an elevated plaza. Muslims know the plaza as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf (“The Noble Sanctuary”), while Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, which was the site of the Temple of Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is built over a rock that Muslims believe is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven to meet God.

Why is the Dome of the Rock important to different religions?

The Dome of the Rock's significance varies across religions. For Muslims, the Dome of the Rock marks the spot where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. It is the oldest Islamic monument. Its inscriptions emphasize the unity of God and reject Christian doctrines. For Jews, the Dome of the Rock is built on the Temple Mount , where the Temple of Jerusalem once stood. The Foundation Stone, believed to be where the world was created, is located within. In the Middle Ages, Christians and Jews identified the Dome of the Rock with the Temple of Solomon.

When was the Dome of the Rock built?

The Dome of the Rock, located in Jerusalem, was constructed by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān in the late 7th century CE. An inscription within the Dome of the Rock dates its construction to 72 AH on the Islamic calendar (691–692 CE), which is generally considered the completion date. The shrine is positioned on a raised plaza known to Muslims as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf and to Jews as the Temple Mount.

What are some special features of the Dome of the Rock's architecture?

The Dome of the Rock's architecture blends Byzantine traditions with early Islamic visual styles. Built in the 7th century, its structure features an octagonal base topped by a gilded central dome. The dome, about 65 feet in diameter, is elevated above a circle of piers and columns. An octagonal arcade surrounds this circle, and a railing protects the sacred rock beneath the dome, which has a stairway leading to a cave. The building's interior and exterior boast marble, mosaics, and metal plaques. The mosaics uniquely incorporate Arabic script and vegetal patterns, along with images of jewels and crowns, avoiding human or animal representations. Arabic religious inscriptions also adorn the octagonal arcade.

How has the Dome of the Rock influenced art and culture in the region?

The Dome of the Rock's architecture and ornamentation, constructed in the 7th century, reflect Byzantine architectural traditions while establishing a distinct Islamic visual style. Its structure consists of an octagonal base topped by a central gilded dome. The Dome of the Rock's lavish scale and decoration may have been intended to rival Jerusalem's Christian holy buildings, especially the domed Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Dome of the Rock influenced art and culture through its architectural design, mosaics, and religious inscriptions. The mosaics exclude human or animal representations, featuring Arabic script and vegetal patterns. In the Middle Ages, Christians and Jews identified the Dome of the Rock with the Temple of Solomon, employing its image in artwork and ritual objects to represent the Temple. Templar churches in Europe also imitated its design.

Dome of the Rock

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Images & Videos

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, Israel, features a large gold dome and ornate blue and gold exterior, set against a backdrop of densely packed stone buildings.

Map of the Old City of Jerusalem divided into four color-coded quarters: Christian Quarter in blue, Muslim Quarter in yellow, Jewish Quarter in pink, and Armenian Quarter in green. Major streets, gates, religious sites, and landmarks such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, and Al-Aqsa Mosque are labeled. An inset locator map shows the Old City's position within Jerusalem and the region.

At a Glance

Dome of the Rock summary

Dome of the Rock

shrine, Jerusalem

Also known as: Qubbat al-Ṣakhrah

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 12, 2026 •History

Top Questions

What is the Dome of the Rock?
The Dome of the Rock, built in the late 7th century CE by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān in Jerusalem, is the oldest extant Islamic monument. It is situated on the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf ("The Noble Sanctuary").

Muslims believe that the rock the Dome is built over marks the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. Its architecture relates to Byzantine religious buildings, and its grand scale and lavish decoration may have been intended to rival Jerusalem’s Christian holy buildings. The Dome's inscriptions emphasize the unity of God and reject Christian doctrines of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dome of the Rock
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where is the Dome of the Rock located?
The Dome of the Rock is a shrine located in Jerusalem. It was constructed in the late 7th century CE by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān and is considered the oldest extant Islamic monument.

The shrine is situated on an elevated plaza. Muslims know the plaza as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf (“The Noble Sanctuary”), while Jews refer to it as the Temple Mount, which was the site of the Temple of Jerusalem. The Dome of the Rock is built over a rock that Muslims believe is where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven to meet God.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dome of the Rock
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is the Dome of the Rock important to different religions?
The Dome of the Rock's significance varies across religions. For Muslims, the Dome of the Rock marks the spot where Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven. It is the oldest Islamic monument. Its inscriptions emphasize the unity of God and reject Christian doctrines.

For Jews, the Dome of the Rock is built on the Temple Mount, where the Temple of Jerusalem once stood. The Foundation Stone, believed to be where the world was created, is located within. In the Middle Ages, Christians and Jews identified the Dome of the Rock with the Temple of Solomon.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dome of the Rock: Purpose and significance
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
When was the Dome of the Rock built?
The Dome of the Rock, located in Jerusalem, was constructed by the Umayyad caliph ʿAbd al-Malik ibn Marwān in the late 7th century CE. An inscription within the Dome of the Rock dates its construction to 72 AH on the Islamic calendar (691–692 CE), which is generally considered the completion date. The shrine is positioned on a raised plaza known to Muslims as al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf and to Jews as the Temple Mount.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dome of the Rock: Historical context and construction
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some special features of the Dome of the Rock's architecture?
The Dome of the Rock's architecture blends Byzantine traditions with early Islamic visual styles. Built in the 7th century, its structure features an octagonal base topped by a gilded central dome. The dome, about 65 feet in diameter, is elevated above a circle of piers and columns. An octagonal arcade surrounds this circle, and a railing protects the sacred rock beneath the dome, which has a stairway leading to a cave.

The building's interior and exterior boast marble, mosaics, and metal plaques. The mosaics uniquely incorporate Arabic script and vegetal patterns, along with images of jewels and crowns, avoiding human or animal representations. Arabic religious inscriptions also adorn the octagonal arcade.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dome of the Rock: Architecture
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How has the Dome of the Rock influenced art and culture in the region?
The Dome of the Rock's architecture and ornamentation, constructed in the 7th century, reflect Byzantine architectural traditions while establishing a distinct Islamic visual style. Its structure consists of an octagonal base topped by a central gilded dome. The Dome of the Rock's lavish scale and decoration may have been intended to rival Jerusalem's Christian holy buildings, especially the domed Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Dome of the Rock influenced art and culture through its architectural design, mosaics, and religious inscriptions. The mosaics exclude human or animal representations, featuring Arabic script and vegetal patterns. In the Middle Ages, Christians and Jews identified the Dome of the Rock with the Temple of Solomon, employing its image in artwork and ritual objects to represent the Temple. Templar churches in Europe also imitated its design.
1 Britannica Source
1. Dome of the Rock: Architecture
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

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.

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.

Dome of the Rock

Architecture

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