Historical Architecture
The Temple Mount has a long and complex history, spanning thousands of years and multiple civilizations, each leaving its mark on the site.
Pre-Solomonic Period
Before the construction of the First Temple, the Temple Mount was a threshing floor owned by Araunah the Jebusite and likely a sacred site for the Canaanites and Jebusites, who inhabited Jerusalem before its conquest by the Israelites. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area contained ancient fortifications and possibly cultic structures, though no definitive remains from this period have been found on the Mount itself due to restrictions on excavation. Some scholars propose that the site's prominence was due to its elevated location and proximity to natural water sources like the Gihon Spring. King David purchased and consecrated as a place of worship after a plague struck Israel. Later, it became the site for Solomon's Temple, the central place of worship for Yahweh, housing the Ark of the Covenant.
Solomonic Architecture
The First Temple, traditionally attributed to King Solomon in the 10th century BCE, was the earliest major Israelite structure on the Temple Mount. Descriptions in biblical texts suggest that the temple was constructed using massive stone blocks, imported cedar from Lebanon, and intricate gold overlays. It followed a tripartite layout common in ancient Near Eastern religious architecture, consisting of an outer courtyard, a main hall (hekhal), and the innermost sanctum (debir), which housed the Ark of the Covenant.
Lower city of Jerusalem (left). City of David district (right).
Solomon's Temple was surrounded by various auxiliary buildings, courtyards, and possibly storage chambers. The platform on which it stood may have been artificially leveled using retaining walls and terraces, a technique later expanded upon in subsequent periods. Although the temple itself was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, some elements of the original foundation may have been reused in later reconstructions.
Second Temple Period Architecture
Following the Babylonian exile, the Second Temple was built around 516 BCE under Persian rule, though it initially lacked the grandeur of Solomon’s original structure. Major architectural enhancements occurred during the reign of Herod the Great (37–4 BCE), who initiated a massive expansion project that transformed the Temple Mount into a vast esplanade supported by monumental retaining walls—parts of which survive today as the Western Wall.
Herod’s renovations included a grand colonnaded plaza, staircases, and gates providing access to the sacred precinct. The temple itself was rebuilt with white limestone and adorned with gold, featuring an enlarged sanctuary and an extensive system of courtyards to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. Structures such as the Royal Stoa, Solomon’s Portico, and the Antonia Fortress were also constructed, serving both religious and administrative functions. This architectural transformation cemented the Temple Mount’s status as the spiritual and political heart of Jerusalem until the Roman destruction of the temple in 70 CE.
Roman Period
Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE by the Romans under Titus, the Temple Mount was left in ruins. In the early 2nd century CE, Emperor Hadrian initiated a major reconstruction of Jerusalem, renaming it Aelia Capitolina. While there is little direct evidence of large-scale Roman construction on the Temple Mount itself, it is believed that the site was repurposed, possibly as a plaza or a pagan sanctuary dedicated to Jupiter. Some scholars suggest that Hadrian may have erected a temple on the Mount, similar to his projects in other cities of the empire. Roman roads, administrative buildings, and fortifications surrounded the area, reshaping the urban layout of Jerusalem. The remnants of Roman-period construction, including reused Herodian stones, can still be seen in various sections of the Temple Mount’s walls and surrounding structures.
Islamic Period Architecture
Following the Islamic conquest of Jerusalem in 638 CE, the Temple Mount became a significant religious and architectural center in Islam. The most notable early Islamic structure is the Dome of the Rock, commissioned by Caliph Abd al-Malik in 691 CE. Built over the Foundation Stone, the octagonal shrine features intricate mosaics, a gilded dome, and a colonnaded interior inspired by Byzantine architectural traditions. It remains one of the oldest surviving Islamic monuments.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, situated on the southern end of the Temple Mount, was originally constructed in the early 8th century and underwent several reconstructions following earthquakes and periods of neglect. The current structure, largely dating to the Fatimid, Ayyubid, and Mamluk periods, features a broad prayer hall with a central dome and numerous arches.
During the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, the Temple Mount saw further architectural enhancements, including the construction of smaller domes, minarets, gates, and fountains. The Solomon’s Stables, an underground vaulted structure originally believed to be part of Herodian construction, was repurposed as a prayer hall during the late 20th century. Today, the Temple Mount remains one of the most architecturally and historically significant sites in the world, reflecting the layered history of religious traditions that have shaped Jerusalem.
