Landmarks of the 144-Dunum Sanctuary
مَعَالِمُ المَسْجِدِ الأَقْصَى المُبَارَك (١٤٤ دُونُم)
The Al-Aqsa compound comprises 144,000 square meters containing over 200 distinct monuments, including monumental prayer halls, 15 gates, historical schools, domes, minarets, and cisterns.
Prayer Halls
6 Historic Sites DocumentedAl-Jami' al-Qibli (Southern Congregational Mosque)
The main congregational prayer hall characterized by its iconic dark lead-plated dome. It contains the main Mihrab and the reconstructed Minbar of Salahuddin, seating over 5,000 worshippers.
Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhrah)
An octagonal architectural triumph with a gilded golden dome soaring 35 meters. It crowns the Sacred Foundation Rock (As-Sakhrah) from which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ascended to the heavens during the Night of Mi'raj.
Musalla al-Marwani (Subterranean Prayer Hall)
A vast underground space spanning over 4,000 m² supported by 16 massive stone arched rows. Wrongly termed "Solomon's Stables" by the Crusaders who tied horses there; restored in 1996 as a flourishing prayer hall holding 10,000 worshippers.
The Ancient Mosque (Al-Aqsa al-Qadima)
A dual-vaulted corridor leading from the sealed Double Gate up to the courtyard surface, now preserved as a tranquil subterranean musalla housing an ancient library.
Al-Buraq Mosque (Musalla al-Buraq)
A vaulted underground chamber adjacent to the western wall where a massive iron ring in the wall marks the historical spot where the heavenly steed Al-Buraq was tied during Al-Isra.
Musalla Bab al-Rahma (Gate of Mercy Prayer Hall)
A magnificent two-story vaulted hall above the sealed Gate of Mercy. Closed unjustly by occupation authorities in 2003, thousands of Jerusalemites peacefully opened its gates in February 2019 to pray.
Gates
6 Historic Sites DocumentedBab al-Asbat (Gate of the Tribes / Lions Gate)
The primary gate utilized by worshippers arriving from the north and east. Witness to the heroic 2017 prayer protests against Israeli electronic metal detectors.
Bab Hutta (Gate of Forgiveness)
Named after the Quranic command in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:58): "And say, 'Hittah' (forgive us) and We will forgive your sins." One of the oldest surviving access portals.
Bab al-Qattanin (Cotton Merchants Gate)
Arguably the most ornate gate in Al-Aqsa, adorned with spectacular stalactite honeycomb vaulting (Muqarnas) and alternating black and white stone (Ablaq).
Bab as-Silsila (Chain Gate)
A monumental double-arched gateway providing access from the Jewish quarter of the Old City. Worshippers frequently face intense security screening here.
Bab al-Maghariba (Moroccan Gate)
Endowed to the North African Maghrebi scholars and fighters by Salahuddin. Confiscated by Israeli authorities in June 1967 and used exclusively for Israeli settler incursions.
Bab al-Rahma & Bab at-Tawbah (Golden Gate / Mercy Gate)
A monumental dual gate sealed by Muslims centuries ago during the Crusader or Ottoman eras to prevent hostile breach. Imam al-Ghazali secluded himself here to author portions of Ihya Ulum al-Din.
Domes
2 Historic Sites DocumentedDome of the Chain (Qubbat as-Silsila)
A delicate open decagonal dome on sixteen marble columns. Built as an architectural model and treasury (Bayt al-Mal) during the construction of the Dome of the Rock.
Dome of the Ascension (Qubbat al-Mi'raj)
Commemorates the exact celestial ascent of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ into the divine heavens.
Minarets
2 Historic Sites DocumentedMinaret of the Tribes (Ma'dhanat al-Asbat)
A cylindrical stone minaret rising gracefully above the northern wall, repaired by the Ottomans with an octagonal upper balcony.
Minaret of Al-Ghawanima
The tallest and most robust minaret in Al-Aqsa, built over sturdy rock foundations that have endured heavy earthquakes and Israeli subterranean trench digging.
Fountains & Wells
2 Historic Sites DocumentedFountain of Sultan Qaitbay (Sabil Qaitbay)
Considered one of the most exquisite stone-carved fountains in the Islamic world, crowned by a delicately ribbed stone dome carved with arabesque foliage.
Sabil Sha'lan
A historic public drinking fountain and ablution pool endowed with fresh cistern water for pilgrims throughout the centuries.