Temple Mount facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple Mount |
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| Al-Aqsa (Masjid al-Aqsa) Haram al-Sharif Al-Aqsa mosque compound Har haBayit Jerusalem's sacred (or holy) esplanade |
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-Aerial-Temple_Mount-(south_exposure).jpg)
Aerial view of Al-Aqsa, atop the Temple Mount
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 740 m (2,430 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Temple Mount
Location in Jerusalem
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| Parent range | Judean |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Limestone |
The Temple Mount is a very old and holy hill in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is also known as Haram al-Sharif or the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. For thousands of years, people from different religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have seen it as a special and sacred place.
The area is surrounded by strong walls, including the famous Western Wall. These walls were first built by King Herod a long time ago, with more parts added over many centuries. You can enter the Temple Mount through eleven gates. Ten of these gates are for Muslims, and one is for non-Muslims. Inside, there are two large and important buildings: the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. The Dome of the Rock is one of the oldest Islamic buildings still standing today.
For Jewish people, the Temple Mount is the holiest place on Earth. They believe that two ancient Jewish Temples once stood here. The First Temple was built by King Solomon and later destroyed. The Second Temple was built after that and was also destroyed. Jewish tradition says that a third Temple will be built here in the future. Many Jews face this site when they pray. Some Jews do not walk on the Mount itself to avoid stepping on the very holiest parts where the Holy of Holies (the most sacred area of the Temple) once stood.
For Muslims, the al-Aqsa Mosque compound is the third holiest site in Islam. Its large courtyard can hold over 400,000 people praying. Muslims believe that the prophet Muhammad traveled here and then ascended to heaven from this spot. This site was also the first "qibla", which is the direction Muslims faced when they prayed.
Since the Crusades, the Muslim community in Jerusalem has managed the site through the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf. The area was controlled by Jordan from 1948 to 1967. After the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel took control, but they gave the management of the site back to the Waqf. Israel keeps security control and has a rule that non-Muslims are not allowed to pray on the Mount. This arrangement is called the "status quo." The Temple Mount is a very important place in the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Contents
What is it Called?
The name of this holy site is sometimes debated, especially between Muslims and Jews. Different groups use different names, showing their connection to the place.
The Temple Mount
The name Har haBayīt in Hebrew means "Mount of the House." This name refers to the Jewish Temples that stood there. It was used in ancient Jewish texts and is still used today. Some Jewish people believe this name shows their long history and connection to the site.
Al-Aqsa Mosque
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The name al-Masjid al-'Aqṣā in Arabic means "the farthest mosque." This name comes from the Quran, which describes Muhammad's Night Journey from Mecca to this "farthest mosque." For Muslims, the term "al-Aqsa Mosque" often refers to the entire large area, including the Dome of the Rock, fountains, gates, and minarets. The specific silver-domed building on the south side is sometimes called the Qibli Mosque.
Haram al-Sharif
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During the time of the Mamluks and Ottomans, the whole area became known as Haram al-Sharif, meaning "The Noble Sanctuary." This name made the site as important as the holy sites in Mecca and Medina for Muslims.
Jerusalem's Sacred Esplanade
Some experts use "Sacred Esplanade" or "Holy Esplanade" as a neutral way to talk about the site. This term helps to avoid taking sides in the debate over its name. The United Nations has also used the term "Holy Esplanade" in recent years.
Where is the Temple Mount?
The Temple Mount is on a hill that slopes down from north to south. It rises above the Kidron Valley to the east and the Tyropoeon Valley to the west. Its highest point is about 740 meters (2,428 feet) above sea level.
Around 19 BCE, Herod the Great made the Mount much larger. He built huge walls around it and filled in the empty spaces to create a big, flat area. This flat area is now the eastern part of the Old City of Jerusalem. The platform is shaped like a trapezoid and covers about 150,000 square meters (37 acres).
The northern and part of the western walls are hidden behind buildings. The southern part of the western wall is visible and is known as the Western Wall. The walls on the south and east sides can be seen almost from top to bottom.
A World Heritage Site
In 1980, Jordan asked UNESCO to list the Old City of Jerusalem as a World Heritage Site, and it was added in 1981. This means it is a place of special cultural or natural importance.
In 2016, UNESCO passed a resolution that talked about the site using only its Muslim name, Al-Haram al-Sharif. This upset Israel, who said it ignored Jewish ties to the site. Israel then stopped working with UNESCO for a while.
Why is it Holy?
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The Temple Mount is very important to all three major religions that believe in one God: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It holds special meaning for Judaism and Islam.
For Jewish People
The Temple Mount is the holiest place in Judaism. Jewish tradition says that both the First and Second Temples stood here. It is also believed to be the place where many important Bible stories happened, like Abraham's binding of Isaac.
Jewish texts say that the Foundation Stone (a rock under the Dome of the Rock) is where the world began. Many Orthodox Jews believe that the third and final Temple will be built here when the Messiah arrives. Jews face the Temple Mount when they pray.
The Ancient Temples
The Hebrew Bible says that the Temple Mount was once a farm field. King David bought this land and chose it as the spot for a future Temple. His son, Solomon, built the First Temple around 957 BCE. This Temple was the center of Jewish life. It held the Ark of the Covenant in its most sacred part, the Holy of Holies.
The First Temple was destroyed in 587 BCE by the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Later, the Second Temple was built in 516 BCE. King Herod made it much grander. However, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE during a war. Jewish people remember these destructions on a special fast day called Tisha B'Av.
The Binding of Isaac
Jewish tradition also connects the Temple Mount to the story of Abraham and the Binding of Isaac. The Bible calls this place "Mount Moriah." Since ancient times, Jews and Christians have believed this is the same place.
Creation of the World
According to Jewish teachings, the Foundation Stone under the Dome of the Rock is where the world was created. It is also believed to be where God gathered the dust to create the first human, Adam.
The Third Temple
Jewish texts predict that a Third and final Temple will be built on the Mount when the Messiah comes. Many Jewish prayers ask for the Temple to be rebuilt.
For Christians
The Temple was very important in Jewish worship during the time of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Herod's Temple was where several events in the life of Jesus happened.
After the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, Christians saw this as a sign that Jesus's prophecies had come true. The Temple Mount became less important for Christian worship, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre became the main holy site in Jerusalem for Christians.
During the Crusades, Christian knights took over Jerusalem. The Knights Templar used the Al-Aqsa Mosque as their headquarters, believing it was the site of Solomon's Temple. They even named themselves after the Temple.
Most Christians today do not see pilgrimage to the Temple Mount as a main part of their faith. They believe that worship is about "spirit and truth" rather than a specific physical place.
For Muslims
For both Sunni and Shia Muslims, the entire area, known as the al-Aqsa Mosque or Haram al-Sharif, is the third holiest site in Islam.
Muslim tradition says that the prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from this plaza. It was also the first "qibla" (direction of prayer) for Muslims. Muslims also connect the site to Abraham and other prophets who are important in Islam.
Early Islamic History
After Muslims took control of Jerusalem in 638 CE, Caliph 'Omar ibn al Khatab reportedly cleaned the site, which was covered in trash. He allowed Jews to access the site. Later, the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik built the Dome of the Rock around the sacred rock in 691 CE. In 715 CE, the Al-Aqsa Mosque was built. The entire area became known as "Noble Sanctuary" or "Haram al-Sharif."
The Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj)
The Quran describes Muhammad's miraculous Night Journey from the Great Mosque of Mecca to "the farthest mosque" (al-Masjid al-'Aqṣā). From there, he ascended to heaven. While the Quran does not name Jerusalem directly, later Islamic traditions identified this "farthest mosque" with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
First Direction of Prayer
For about 16 or 17 months after Muslims moved to Medina, they faced al-Aqsa when they prayed. This made it the first qibla. Later, Muhammad received a message to change the direction of prayer to the Kaaba in Mecca, which is where Muslims pray today.
History of the Site
Ancient Times
The hill has been lived on since about 4,000 BCE. Small artifacts found there show its long history.
Israelite Period
According to the Bible, the First Temple was built here in the 10th century BCE. It was part of a larger royal complex. The First Temple was destroyed in 587 BCE by the Babylonians.
Later Periods
The Second Temple was built in 516 BCE. It was later made much bigger by Herod the Great. This huge project made the Temple Mount one of the largest holy sites in the ancient world. The Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE.
After the Romans, the site was sometimes used as a dump. In 637 CE, Muslims took control of Jerusalem. They cleaned the site and built the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
During the Crusades, Christians took over Jerusalem in 1099. The Knights Templar used the Al-Aqsa Mosque as their headquarters. In 1187, Saladin retook Jerusalem and returned the site to Muslim use.
The Mamluks and Ottomans also built many structures on and around the Temple Mount. For a long time, non-Muslims were not allowed to visit the site.
Modern Times
From 1948 to 1967, Jordan controlled the Temple Mount. During this time, Israeli Jews could not visit their holy places there.
In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israeli forces took control of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount. Israel's leaders decided to give the management of the site back to the Muslim Waqf, but Israel would keep security control. This agreement is called the "status quo."
However, there have been many disagreements and clashes over the years. In 1969, someone set fire to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In 1990, there were protests and violence after some Jewish groups announced plans to lay a cornerstone for a new Temple. In 2000, a visit by an Israeli political leader sparked the al-Aqsa Intifada, a five-year uprising.
Today, the Temple Mount remains a very sensitive place. Israeli leaders have often said that the "status quo" will not change, meaning that non-Muslims are not allowed to pray there.
Rules for Visiting
The Islamic Waqf has managed the Temple Mount since 1187. After 1967, Israel passed a law to protect holy places and ensure access. However, for security reasons, Israel does not allow non-Muslims to pray on the site. If someone is seen praying, they might be asked to leave by the police.
Sometimes, Israel limits access for Muslim men under 45 if there are concerns about protests. The Mughrabi Gate is the only entrance for non-Muslim visitors.
Jewish Views on Entering the Site
Because of very old religious rules about purity, many Jewish people do not enter the Temple Mount itself. They believe that parts of the site are so holy that only certain people could enter them, and only after special cleansing rituals that are not possible today. The Western Wall, which is part of the Temple Mount's retaining wall, is considered the holiest accessible place for Jews to pray.
Some Jewish rabbis believe it is forbidden to enter any part of the Temple Mount. They worry about accidentally stepping into the most sacred areas. Other rabbis believe that it is allowed to visit certain parts of the Mount, as long as visitors follow strict rules, like washing themselves and wearing special shoes. This is a topic of ongoing discussion among Jewish religious leaders.
What You Can See There
The Courtyard
The large open area, or sahn, can hold over 400,000 people for prayer.
Upper Platform
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The upper platform surrounds the Dome of the Rock. This platform is reached by eight staircases, each with an archway called a qanatir.
There are also smaller domed buildings on the upper platform:
- The Dome of the Chain (Qubbat al-Sisila) is near the Dome of the Rock. Its exact purpose is not fully known.
- The Dome of the Ascension (Qubbat al-Miraj) is believed by some to be where Muhammad ascended to heaven.
- The Dome of the Spirits (Qubbat al-Arwah) is another small dome.
- The Dome of Literature (Qubba Nahwiyya) is in the southwest corner.
- The Summer Pulpit (Minbar of Burhan al-Din) is an outdoor pulpit used for prayers.
Lower Platform
The lower platform covers most of the Temple Mount. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is at its southern end. Gardens fill the eastern and northern sides.
There is a fountain called al-Kas for Muslims to wash before prayer. Many cisterns (underground water storage areas) are also beneath the platform. These cisterns collected rainwater. Some are very large, like the "Great Sea" and Cistern 11, which can hold hundreds of thousands of gallons of water.
Gates of the Temple Mount
The walls of the Temple Mount have several gates. Some are now blocked, and others are open for entry.
- Blocked Gates
- The Golden Gate is in the eastern wall. Legend says the Jewish Messiah will enter Jerusalem through this gate.
- The Huldah Gates (the "triple gate" and "double gate") are in the southern wall. These were main entrances for Jews to the Temple Mount in ancient times.
- Warren's Gate and Barclay's Gate are in the western wall, hidden by later buildings.
- Open Gates
There are currently eleven open gates for Muslims to enter the Haram al-Sharif. Only one, the Mughrabi Gate, is open for non-Muslims.
Solomon's Stables / Marwani Mosque
Under the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount platform is a large vaulted area known as Solomon's Stables. These were built by Herod the Great to support the platform. Crusaders used them as stables, but today they are part of the Marwani Mosque.
Minarets
There are four minarets (towers from which the call to prayer is made) on the Temple Mount. Three are along the western side, and one is on the northern wall. The oldest minaret was built in 1298.
Archaeology and Changes to the Site
Because the site is so sensitive, there have been no major archaeological digs directly on the Temple Mount itself. Most of what we know comes from surveys done in the 19th century.
After the 1967 war, Israeli archaeologists found remains of ancient palaces near the southern wall. However, some changes made to the site by both Israeli and Muslim authorities have caused concern among archaeologists. For example, in the 1990s, the Waqf began building a new mosque in Solomon's Stables, which some Israelis saw as a big change without proper consultation.
There have been accusations that important archaeological evidence about the Jewish past of the site has been removed. The Temple Mount Sifting Project has been sifting through earth removed from the Mount, finding many ancient artifacts.
In 2004, parts of the southern and eastern walls were damaged by an earthquake. In 2007, repairs to a ramp leading to the Mughrabi Gate caused protests. Also in 2007, the Waqf dug a trench to replace electric cables, which some archaeologists called "cultural vandalism."
Recent Events
- February 2004
- Partially collapsed Mughrabi-Bridge: An old wall near the Western Wall leading to the Mughrabi Gate partly collapsed, possibly due to an earthquake.
- March 2005
- Allah inscription: The word "Allah" was carved into ancient stones, which upset Israeli archaeologists and many Jews.
- October 2006
- Synagogue proposal: An Israeli politician suggested building a synagogue on the Mount, but not instead of the mosques. This idea was met with strong reactions.
- Minaret proposal: Jordan's King Abdullah II of Jordan announced plans to build a new, fifth minaret on the Mount, which would be the first in 600 years.
- February 2007
- Mugrabi Gate ramp reconstruction: Repairs to a ramp leading to the Mughrabi Gate caused protests from Arab leaders.
- May 2007
- Right-wing Jews ascend the Mount: Some Religious Zionist rabbis visited the Temple Mount, causing criticism from other Jewish leaders and secular Israelis who worried about provoking conflict.
- July 2007
- Temple Mount cable replacement: The Waqf dug a ditch to replace electric cables, leading to protests from archaeologists.
- October 2009
- Clashes: Protests and clashes happened after rumors that an extreme Israeli group would harm the site.
- July 2010
- Public opinion poll: A poll showed that many Israelis wanted the Temple to be rebuilt.
- April 2022
- Al-Aqsa Mosque clashes: Clashes broke out between Palestinians and Israeli security forces on the Temple Mount.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Al-Aqsa, atop the Temple Mount
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Topographical map of Jerusalem, showing the Temple Mount on the eastern peak
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About 300,000 Muslims praying at Ramadan in 1996.
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The front of al-Aqsa's main praying hall, the Qibli Mosque, seen from the north.
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Inside the beautiful Dome of the Rock.
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The Dome of the Rock is an important Islamic shrine.
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A painting showing Muhammad's journey to heaven.
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Al-Aqsa Mosque in 2019.
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King Hussein flying over the Temple Mount when it was controlled by Jordan, 1965.
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A security gate at the entrance to the site.
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A sign in Hebrew and English outside the Temple Mount says that Jews are not allowed to enter certain areas due to their holiness.
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The southern edge of the upper platform, with the Summer Pulpit (left) and the southern qanatir (arches) behind it.
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The al-Kas ablution fountain for Muslim worshippers on the southern part of the lower platform.
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The eastern set of Hulda gates.
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Robinson's Arch, on the southwest side, once supported a staircase leading to the Mount.
See also
In Spanish: Monte del Templo para niños
- List of national symbols of Palestine
- Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem holy sites
- Jerusalem in Judaism
- Temple Mount Sifting Project
