Distant Mosque, Jerusalem is locally known as ' Masjid Al-Aqsa'. Al-Aqsa in Arabic means distant and Masjid means Mosque. This mosque is one of the most important religious sites in Jerusalem. Distant Mosque, Jerusalem is located in the complex of religious buildings commonly known as the Haram esh-Sharif that is, the 'Noble Sanctuary' to the Muslims and the Temple Mount to the Jews.
The Distant Mosque in Jerusalem has gone through several reconstructions and changes. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was first time built in 710 AD by the Umayyads. The mosque was constructed of wood. Since then the Distant Mosque, Jerusalem has been re-constructed for 5 times. The last time it was refurbished was in 1035. During the time of Crusade the knights captured Jerusalem in 1099 and Al-Aqsa Mosque became the head quarter of the Templars. The three central bays of the mosque's main facade bears the influence of the Templars. In the middle of the 14th century the Mamelukes added two more bays on both sides of the central bays which are still present. The main facade of Distant Mosque, Jerusalem faces the Dome of Rock located at the southern end of the complex.
Distant Mosque, Jerusalem is not only a religious site it is also one of the most important architectural Jerusalem Tourist Attractions. The mosque's architecture is a blend of European and middle-east Asian style. The bays of the main facade are designed in Romanesque style which is very common in 11th and 12th-century European churches. There is a central arch through which visitors can enter the mosque.
The interior of the Distant Mosque, Jerusalem or Al-Aqsa Mosque is really admirable because of its elegant décor. Many of the decorative portions are added during the 20th-century. The most notable feature of the mosque interior are the marble columns donated by Benito Mussolini and a painted ceiling funded by King Farouk of Egypt. Among the older decorative elements the most notable are the 'mihrab', and the mosaics above the central aisle arch and around the drum of the dome. The 'mihrab' was decorated in 1187 under Saladin whereas the beautiful mosaics dates back to 1035.
In summer Distant Mosque, Jerusalem opens on every Saturday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 11 am and from1:30 to 3 pm while in winter the opening hours are 8 to 10:30 in the morning and 12:30 to 2 in the afternoon.
travel.mapsofworld.com provides online information of Distant Mosque, Jerusalem.
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