Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Qibli Mosque) - 50 fils
The Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Jami' al-Aqsa / المسجد الأقصى المبارك), specifically referring to the silver-domed congregational prayer hall (Al-Musalla al-Qibli) situated at the southern end of the sacred compound (Al-Haram Al-Sharif), is the third holiest site in Islam. Associated in Islamic theology with the miraculous Night Journey (Al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj) of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Jerusalem, it also served as the first direction of prayer (Qibla) for early Muslims. Originally constructed as a modest prayer hall under the Rashidun Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab, it was formally expanded into a monumental hypostyle basilica around 705 CE under the Umayyad Caliphs Abd al-Malik and his son Al-Walid I.
The illustrated perspective showcases the northern monumental portico (riwaq) and grand entryway of the mosque, framed by ancient cypress trees in the stone courtyard. Rebuilt and embellished across several dynasties—most notably after major earthquakes under the Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks—the façade features seven arched entrance bays leading into the vast prayer hall beneath its lead-sheathed dome. As an enduring centerpiece of Islamic architectural heritage and religious devotion, the sanctuary remains under historic Hashemite custodianship, continuing to serve as a principal site of daily worship and global pilgrimage.
The illustrated perspective showcases the northern monumental portico (riwaq) and grand entryway of the mosque, framed by ancient cypress trees in the stone courtyard. Rebuilt and embellished across several dynasties—most notably after major earthquakes under the Fatimids, Ayyubids, and Mamluks—the façade features seven arched entrance bays leading into the vast prayer hall beneath its lead-sheathed dome. As an enduring centerpiece of Islamic architectural heritage and religious devotion, the sanctuary remains under historic Hashemite custodianship, continuing to serve as a principal site of daily worship and global pilgrimage.