The Dome of the Rock, a photo from West Bank, East

Photographer's Note

Arabic QUBBAT AS-SAKHRAH, also erroneously referred to as the MOSQUE OF OMAR, this shrine in Jerusalem is the oldest extant Islamic monument. The rock over which the shrine was built is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. The Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, is traditionally believed to have ascended into heaven from the site. In Jewish tradition, it is here that Abraham, the progenitor and first patriarch of the Hebrew people, is said to have prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. The Dome and Al-Aqsa Mosque are both located on the Temple Mount, the site of Solomon's Temple and its successors.

The Dome of the Rock was built between AD 685 and 691 by the caliph 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, not as a mosque for public worship but rather as a mashhad, a shrine for pilgrims. It is virtually the first monumental building in Islamic history and is of considerable aesthetic and architectural importance; it is rich with mosaic, faience, and marble, much of which was added several centuries after its completion. Basically octagonal, the Dome of the Rock is more typically Roman or Byzantine than Islamic. A wooden dome--approximately 60 feet (18 m) in diameter and 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. The outer walls repeat this octagon, each of the eight sides being approximately 60 feet (18 m) wide and 36 feet (11 m) high. Both the dome and the exterior walls contain many windows.

Christians and Muslims in the European Middle Ages believed the Dome itself to be the Temple of Solomon (Templum Domini). The Knights Templars were quartered there in the Crusades, and Templar churches in Europe imitated its plan.

Royaldevon, jean113, Fis2, pajaran, ktanska, pierrefonds, PaulVDV has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Royaldevon (86484) 2022-02-04 6:32

Hello Zbigniew,

I see you explored here before the Covid pandemic. I wonder if it open again for tourists.
It's an excellent building for photography, with its pillars, patterns and golden dome, all of which you have captured with excellent clarity.
I must comment upon your composition, too, which is well judged, the pathway, steps and figures all work well to guide viewers towards the focal building.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

jean113 (28311) 2022-02-04 7:31

Hello Zbigniew, an excellent point of view of this very famous building. I can't recall seeing it from this angle before.
The golden dome shines and immediately catches the eye.
I like the coincidence of the lady in the blue dress, she matches the beautiful decoration of the building.
Comprehensive notes, thank you.
Kind regards, Jean.

Fis2 (171991) 2022-02-04 8:00

Czesc Zbyszek!
Piekna budowla, zlota kopula robi wrazenie.
Dobry kadr i kolorki.
Ladna scena z dnia codziennego.
Pozdrawiam.
Krzysztof

lousat (140026) 2022-02-04 11:51

Hi Zbigiew,this is the most bright symbol of Jerusalem, and it's nice to see a memory so close and well done,perfect capture in the best light and quality as usual. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

ifege (49505) 2022-02-04 21:53

Hi Zbigniew
An excellent photo of this famous location. Great detail and good framing by the trees.
cheers
Ian

ktanska (45094) 2022-02-05 3:02

Hi Zbigniew,
The golden dome and all those blue decorations make that mosque very impressive. Well framed view between those trees. Good angle and people on different distances make strong perspective.
Kari

emka (158900) 2022-02-05 15:15

cześć Zbyszek, Świetne zdjęcie Meczetu na Skale, kobieta w długiej niebieskiej sukience i kapeluszu świetnie tu pasuje. Mogłeś wejść do środka? Pięknie wygląda złota kopuła na tle niebieskiego nieba.

Pozdrawiam serdecznie

MAłgorzata

everlasting (20002) 2022-02-06 4:02

a well chosen PoV and nice light management. I like the matching colours of the people in the foreground also. An attractive photo

kasianowak (17676) 2022-02-10 2:56

Czesc Zbigniew
Popatrzylam na date - byles tam doslownie dwa tygodnie przede mna. :-)
Piekne swiatlo i kolory, szczegolnie zlota kopula na tle blekitu nieba robi wrazenie. Kobieta w niebieskiej sukni to swietny dodatek do pierwszego planu.
Pozdrawiam
Kasia

pierrefonds (115596) 2022-02-14 15:19

Hi Zbigniew,

The presence of the persons has an effect of scale. The point of view is showing the details of the Mosque of Omar. The quality of the light beaitifies the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

PaulVDV (63496) 2022-02-19 12:01

Hello Zbigniew,
I was there in 1979.
It's a wonderful mosque with its many blue tiles, the many calligraphy and the huge golden dome.
Well presented with the stairs and the arches in the foreground and nicely framed by the trees.
Best regards, Paul

ikeharel (114659) 2022-02-21 6:50

The place still located in Israel, not palestine, Zbigniew.

mkamionka (75171) 2022-02-25 23:47

Czesc Zbigniew,
Wspaniala prezentaxja tego bodaj najbardziej rozpoznawalnego miejsca w Jerozolimie. Wiem ze zapewne mur placzu jest starszy czy wazniejszy ale ta zlota kopula jest tak fotogeniczna szczegolnie jesli sie ja zalpie jak Ty na tle niebieskiego nieba.
Bardzo dchcialbym tpo miejsce kiedys odwiedzic ale z powodow bezpieczenstwa ciagle odsuwam na pozniej.
Doskonala praca!

Слава Україні!
M