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Britannica Sources used in this answer

What major religious buildings did the Umayyads construct in Jerusalem and Damascus?

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World map showing the global distribution of Islam, with countries shaded in varying tones of green to indicate the estimated percentage of the population practicing Islam. Darkest green represents countries with 95-100 percent Muslim populations, including much of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central and South Asia. Lighter greens show lower percentages, while most of Europe, the Americas, Australia, and East Asia are shaded to indicate less than 25 percent Muslim population.
Islamic world

The Umayyad dynasty, particularly under the rule of Caliphs 'Abd al-Malik and al-Walid I, commissioned several monumental religious structures that served to symbolize the permanence and authority of the Islamic state.12

Jerusalem

  • Dome of the Rock: Built by Caliph 'Abd al-Malik in the late 7th century (completed c. 691–692 CE), this shrine is the oldest extant Islamic monument. Its grand scale and lavish decoration were likely intended to establish Islam as the successor to the Abrahamic tradition and to rival the city's existing Christian holy buildings.1
  • Al-Aqsa Mosque: Constructed during the reign of al-Walid I, this mosque is located on the southern end of the same plaza as the Dome of the Rock.12

Damascus

  • Umayyad Mosque (Great Mosque of Damascus): Also built by al-Walid I between 706 and 715 CE, this structure remains one of the most significant examples of early Islamic architecture. It incorporated elements of a pre-existing Roman temple and featured innovative designs, including the use of ancient towers as minarets to signal the presence of Islam.23