Dome of the Rock
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is considered to be one of the oldest and finest examples of Byzantine and emerging Islamic architecture.
The shrine was built over a rock considered sacred by both Muslims and Jews. The Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended into heaven from the site, while in Jewish tradition, Abraham is believed to have prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac on the site.
An inscription establishes the date of completion of the Dome of the Rock as 691-692, having been built by the order of Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik on the site of Herod’s Temple which was destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
The Byzantine Christian model of churches and martyriums was followed for the overall form of the architectural dome, as well as the decorative mosaics. This is combined with Quranic inscriptions that adorn the building, promoting the virtues of Islam over Christianity.
[edit] Design and construction
The building is dominated by its large, wooden-gilt dome, approximately 20 m in diameter, and rising to a height of 30 m above the surrounding stone-paved platform. The dome’s shape symbolises the soaring ascent to heaven, and its circle represents the wholeness and balance that is essential to the Muslim faith.
The platform is supported by a circular arcade of four piers and twelve columns. An octagonal arcade surrounds this circle, comprising eight piers and sixteen columns, which help support the dome. The octagon is repeated in the outer wall, each of the eight sides measuring 18 m in width and 8 m in height.
The colour of the shrine is also symbolic. Sky blue suggests infinity, while gold represents the colour of the knowledge of Allah.
The interior decorations are extensive and elaborate. There are 1,280 sq. m of intricate mosaics covering the walls from a variety of periods, as well as painted timber, marble, multi-coloured tiles, carpets and carved stone. The mosaics use intricate patterns and geometric shapes in place of figurative art.
The walls enclose a portion of the sacred rock which is exposed and protected by a railing, while a stairway leads to a natural cave beneath the surface.
[edit] Post-construction
The Dome of the Rock has been modified several times since it was completed in the 7th century, with each new group that conquered Jerusalem laying claim to the structure in its own way. In 1016, the original dome collapsed and was rebuilt in 1021.
In the 16th century, the Ottoman sultan Suleyman the Magnificent replaced the exterior mosaics with 45,000 blue and gold ceramic tiles.
In 1994, Jordan and Saudi Arabia donated 80 kg of gold to serve as a new covering for the iconic dome.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
IHBC NewsBlog
Your FIRST FREE IHBC Xmas gift to colleagues
Tell them about IHBC’s Conservation Wiki – Our free digital digest for the development and construction sector.
CPD check-up and prize: ‘Who said that?’ – And what would you say back? FREE BS7913 for the best responses…
IHBC Chair at 2018 Heritage Day: A personal take and update
IHBC’s Chair James Caird attended the 2018 Heritage Day, led by England’s heritage link body, The Heritage Alliance (THA), and offers readers an update on his day.
IHBC raises objections in high-level Historic Environment Advisor Apprenticeship
IHBC has lodged its concerns and objections to current proposals submitted by Historic England's 'Trailblazer' Group to the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA) for approval.
Latest IHBC Council+ corners the tables to see how best to deliver member services
IHBC has concluded the 7th Council+ meeting, the institute’s UK-wide forum for volunteers’ national oversight and development, which took place in London.
DesigningBuildings Wiki features IHBC Context celebrating 50 years of the TCPA
Tucked away in Part V of the Town and Country Planning Ace was a revolution in heritage conservation that Timothy Cantell has explored in IHBC’s Context.
UK Green Building Council has reported on the launch of Hawkins/Brown’s new tool to quickly visualise the embodied carbon of buildings at any point in the building lifecycle.
AHF - new partnership Heritage Impact Fund to be launched in early 2019
The Architectural Heritage Fund has announced the fund as part of its ongoing work to increase the levels of social investment supporting the heritage sector.
BRE and USGBC announce new partnership
Two built environment organisations have announced the first building quality and performance partnership of its kind partnering to raise global sustainability standards.
Civic Voice: Guidance tool for communities to identify local heritage assets
A resource developed as part of Civic Voice’s Big Conservation Conversation and their ‘Local Heritage List’ campaign.
Landmark - online archive of History Albums now accessible
Landmark’s History Albums is now available online making the detailed research undertaken on each Landmark digitally available to all.
Joint Committee on draft Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill
Call for evidence, closing 18 January, inviting views on whether the governance structures for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme are appropriate.
Updates on programme on planning reform in England
The latest version of the Planning Directorate Newsletter brings readers up to date with the England’s programme of planning reform.
Specialist contractors call for government regulation of the construction industry
The chairman of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group wants to government to set up a statutory authority to regulate construction industry practice.
Wellcome’s Living with Buildings exhibition on until to 3 March in London examines the positive and negative influence buildings have on our physical and mental health.
The economic value of culture - a benefit transfer study on museums in England
New research has been published to help understand the visitor and non-visitor value of cultural engagement at 4 cultural institutions in England – is this transferrable?
England - Open Doors pilot scheme closing 31 Dec
Government in England’s pilot scheme to match landlords struggling to find tenants for their empty properties with community groups looking for space.
RTPI to investigate strategic infrastructure planning
New research commissioned from University of the West of England in partnership with PBA (part of Stantec), on how strategic infrastructure planning is carried out.
Scottish Lochside House named House of the Year 2018
Lochside House, a breathtaking new home in the West Highlands designed by HaysomWardMiller Architects has been named the 2018 RIBA House of the Year.