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Jerusalem & Palestine
Al-Masjid al-Aqsa
Jerusalem, Palestine
The first qibla and the third sanctuary — here the Prophet ﷺ led the prophets in prayer on the Night Journey. Its vast compound includes the Dome of the Rock, the southern congregational mosque, minarets and historic schools.
Story & history
Abd al-Malik and his son al-Walid renewed it after successive earthquakes; the Ayyubids, Mamluks and Ottomans inherited it, and its mosques and the Dome of the Rock remain the heart of the Noble Sanctuary.
Getting there
Pin the site on the map or head straight there with your maps app; opening hours and access vary by season.
Quick facts
- Includes about 200 historic structures
- First qibla, third sanctuary
- Its courtyards hold hundreds of thousands
Visiting tip
A visit should cover the whole compound from the walls to the eastern dome.