The Dome of the Rock was built in Jerusalem on the site where the Jewish Temple once stood, in order to establish Jerusalem as a major pilgrimage site for Muslims and discourage pilgrimages to Mecca. It was commissioned by Caliph Abd-Al-Malik in the late 7th century and features an octagonal exterior wall and a large central dome supported by an arcade, with mosaics and decorative elements conveying Islamic symbols.

2. Caliph Abd–Al–Malika had the Dome of the Rock built on the same place
where the Temple of Jerusalem had stood.The temple, stood in the centre of
the sacred site on Mount Moraih.

3. According to tradition, Muhammad first selected Jerusalem as the qibla, the
direction the faithful should face during prayer.
Later, the prophet redirected his followers to face the city of Mecca
when praying, to symbolize Islam's independence from the other monotheistic
religions that had chosen Jerusalem as their most holy city.
In the late seventh century, however, Chaliph Abd El-Malik wanted to discourage
his followers from making the pilgrimage to Mecca because he feared that they
might fall under the influence of one of his Muslim rivals.
He, therefore, constructed the Dome in the hopes of establishing
Jerusalem as the major Muslim pilgrimage destination, so that he could keep his
followers and attract new ones.

7. • Above the surrounding stone-paved
platform.
• It is supported by a circular arcade
of four piers and twelve columns.
• Surrounding this circle is an
octagonal arcade of eight piers and
sixteen columns, which help support
the dome.
• The outer wall repeats this
octagon, each of the eight sides being
about 18 meters wide and 8 meters
high.
• Both the dome and the exterior
walls contain many windows.

8. • The central octagonal plan is 54m in diameter
• The Cuppola, rises to height of 30m.
• The facades of the octagon, facing the four
cardinal points have doors with porches.
• The largest facing south, has a porch
supported by 8 paired columns, in 2 rows on
either side of the entrance
• Dominating the sacred rock, and supported
on a drum, is the DOME- Suggestive of the
horseshoe arch, rises high above.
• Inside there is a Double Ambulatory, used
for ritual circumambulation . These ring like
spaces are bounded by concentric porches.
• The outré most is Octagonal and runs parallel
to the walls of the buildings.
• On each wall of the Octagon, there are two columns between the corner and pillar.
• Portico – comprises of 8 pillars and 16 columns.
• Interior Portico – Circular, having 4 pillars – Between which there are 3 columns
supporting 4 arches on either side.
PLANNING
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9. • Thus there 12 shafts, along with pillars,
supporting 16 arches surrounding the
rock.
• Above this arcade is the high cylindrical
drum on which the dome rests.
• It has been noted that the concentric
arcades are laid out in the figure of an
external circles with radius – 26.87m,
Inside which are inscribed 2 square set at
45° angles.
• The intersecting point of these squares
describes the Inner Circle with radius-
20.56m.
• By connecting them vertically and
horizontally, new intersection are made
describing a circle, which corresponds to
the outlines of the inner arcade with
radius-11.13.
• Through the ritual of circumambulation, the pilgrim experiences the squaring of
the circle, the union of body & soul.

10. • On top of the cylindrical drum,
which emerges from the octagon,
rises the proud dome Gilded copper
roofing
• Dome was made with two wooden
frames, one inside the other.
• Prophet rose from the rock to the
heavens, leaving an imprint of his
foot in the central row.
• The outer shell, slightly raised and
salient.
• Constrains an inner shelf which is
strictly hemispherical
• Use of wood other than stone comes from the Syrian builder.
• This allows creation of light structures, which is span large spaces.
• Is supported by an arcade with alternating black and white arch stones.
THE DOME

11. • The exterior of the octagon was redone
in Polychrome Tiles-blue Colour
dominates.
• Coloured Marbles columns rest on Cube
– Shaped Bases.
• Walls and arcades - mosaics depicting
vines and branches on a gold background.
• Floral compositions are abundant, only
Plant Motifs, no human figures.
• Reused ancient columns capitals with blossoming corbeils
• Instead, the shrine conveys its own message through color and shape.
• In Islamic art, blue, the color of the sky, suggests infinity, while gold represents
the color of the knowledge of God.
• The shape of the dome itself is a powerful symbol of the soaring ascent to
heaven, its circle representing the wholeness and balance essential to the Muslim
faith.
Elements Of Decoration

12. • Extensive decoration from a
variety of periods, including
mosaics, painted wood, marble,
multi-colored tiles, carpets, and
carved stone, covers most of the
exterior and interior of the
building.
• Many of the 45,000 blue and
gold exterior tiles were installed
in the 1500s.
• Inside, 1,280 square meters of
elaborate mosaics cover the
walls that enshrine the mystical
rock under the dome.

13. WALLS
• Veneer of polished marble in geometric patterns.
• Sparsely decorated Mirhab.
WINDOWS
• Of the octagon were originally lined with finely carved
marble screens (CLAUSTRA).
• Later polychromes, stained – glass set in plaster lattice work.