The Dome of the Rock view, Jerusalem, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Dome of the Rock is the golden-domed shrine that dominates the skyline of the Old City of Jerusalem. It stands on the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as the Haram esh-Sharif, a site sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians. This viewpoint on HaTamid Street gives you a look at the Dome from the edge of the Old City.

The story behind it

The shrine is built around a rock that Jewish tradition links to the Binding of Isaac, the story in the Hebrew Bible in which Abraham is told to offer up his son and is stopped at the last moment by a messenger from God. The same mountain is traditionally held to be the site of the First and Second Jewish Temples, which is why the place is the holiest in Judaism.

In Muslim tradition the rock is the place from which the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven during the Night Journey, where he received the commandment of the daily prayers. The Dome of the Rock is one of the holiest places in Islam. The shared importance of the compound to two faiths is also the reason it remains a point of political tension today.

What to look for

• The golden dome itself, which catches the light and is visible from many points around the Old City and its surroundings.
• The blue tilework and the octagonal shape of the shrine below the dome, which set it apart from the stone buildings around it.
• The way the Dome sits on a raised platform above the surrounding Old City lanes, showing how the Temple Mount rises over the neighbourhoods near it.
• The mix of rooftops, domes and minarets around the shrine, which shows how closely the faiths of Jerusalem sit side by side.

Tips for your visit

• This is a viewpoint, so a short stop of ten to fifteen minutes is enough, longer if you want photographs.
• Early morning and late afternoon give the softest light on the golden dome.
• Access to the Temple Mount compound itself is restricted and rules for visitors change, so check current opening hours and entry conditions before you plan to go up.
• Dress modestly, and expect the Old City lanes nearby to be busy, so keep your belongings close.

See it on a quest

Science Fiction in Jerusalem: Historic Cultures passes this view as one stop on a longer route on foot through the area. The app tells you about each place as you reach it and sets a puzzle based on what is in front of you, so you look closely at the Dome rather than just photographing it. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever suits you, with no guide and no set departure time.