History and Information of the Temple of Jerusalem

The Temple Mount of Jerusalem is a plateau located in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is a troubled story, like that of the entire city. It is a story of constant destruction. Yet it is a very important site. In fact, the Temple Mount – as is the case for many of the historical places in Jerusalem – is a sacred place for Jews, Muslims and Christians.

It is on this mountain that the ancient Temple of Jerusalem stood, the holiest place ever for the Jewish religion. Instead, for Muslims this is where Prophet Muhammad begins his journey to heaven, described in the Quran.

Finally, Christians venerate it as a place frequented by Jesus. According to the New Testament, the Temple in Jerusalem played a significant role in the life of Jesus Christ.

It is inside this temple that – Jesus as a child – impresses the Jewish teachers with his preparation. At the Temple Mount in Jerusalem there are therefore all the “ingredients” to make it a place full of history and religion. To visit. Also to understand (or to try to understand) why the territory on which Israel stands is such a tormented land. And why this torment seems to be destined to never end.

History From the Very Beginning

10th century BC. King David conquers the city of Jerusalem. And he chooses this place to build a large temple that houses the Ark of the Covenant. But building the Temple in Jerusalem takes time. It will only be completed by King Solomon (son of David) in 957 BC. This first temple in Jerusalem was not a very large building. It was – as you can well understand – an absolutely sacred place. Which unfortunately was destroyed in 586 BC, when Nebuchadnezzar II arrived and deported the Jews to Babylon.

The Temple of Jerusalem – the second – was later rebuilt around 51 BC. Thus resuming its central role in the context of Jewish religious rites. Even if there were no shortage of looting episodes in the course of history. It was Herod who doubled the size of the Jerusalemm e temple. During the Roman period it also became the seat of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court.

The Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem

Another destruction for the temple in Jerusalem. In 66 AD a Jewish rebellion against Rome begins, which culminates with the complete devastation of the temple by Titus on 10 August 70 AD (an event which is commemorated on the Arch of Titus which is located in Rome). What remained after the destruction was only part of the Western Wall. Today a pilgrimage destination for Jews from all over the world.

On the same site where the Temple of Jerusalem once stood, the emperor Hadrian then built the temple of Jupiter Capitoline. Two centuries later – in 324 – the emperor Constantine destroyed the pagan temple wanted by Hadrian and had a Byzantine church built in its place.

However, during the Byzantine period the Jews were allowed to visit the Temple on the occasion of the anniversary of the destruction of 70 AD (the ritual of the visit was as follows: they poured oil on a stone, weeped and tore their clothes).

jerusalem city

History of the Temple of Jerusalem – The Islamic period

In 614 the Persians invade Jerusalem, killing its inhabitants and destroying its churches. Islamic historians say that when the Muslims conquered the city – in 638 – the caliph Umar found the Temple of Jerusalem completely in ruins (for the umpteenth time). And it arranges for its reconstruction. It must be remembered, in fact, that even for Muslims this is a sacred place (together with Mecca and Medina).

History of the Temple of Jerusalem – The contemporary age

The twentieth and twenty-first centuries were full of excitement for the city of Jerusalem. Crucial point of history is 1967, with the Six Day War, when the state of Israel conquers the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Undoubtedly a turbulent era, that of the last two centuries in the Holy Land. However, little has changed on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Which is administered by the Waqf: the supreme Muslim religious council.

The access to the Temple Mount today is free. Open to all. And there are many tourists who come there from all over the world. In general, however, Jews do not set foot on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, concentrating their prayers in front of the famous Western Wall (the so-called Wailing Wall).

The Rules for Accessing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem

To access the area surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem – run by Muslims – you have to go through a gate near the Western Wall. The rules for visiting the site are very restrictive. It is better to get well informed so as not to run into problems. Among these rules there is, first of all, dressing with measure and not practicing any religious activity. Pious Jews hardly visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, for them the order of the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem applies:

“According to the Torah, anyone is forbidden to enter the area of ​​the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, due to its sacredness”.

Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem

Where Was the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem

The location of the ancient Jerusalem Temple has not been identified with certainty. Many scholars believe, however, that the Temple was located where the Dome of the Rock now stands.

Jerusalem Temple Mount – Here’s What to See

  • Al Aqsa Mosque (720 AD). One of the oldest and most beautiful mosques in the world. It is located next to the entrance to the Temple Mount.
  • Dome of the Rock (691 AD). It is a splendid construction covered in blue mosaic tiles and a golden dome. Inside, the rock from which Muhammad – according to Muslims – ascended to heaven on his Night Journey. But it is also the rock where – according to Christians – Abraham was about to proceed with the sacrifice of Isaac.
  • Dome of the Chain (13th century in its present form). It is a smaller dome than the Dome of the Rock. Of uncertain history. But with beautiful decorations.
  • The Western Wall (or Western Wall) – The Western Wall is a retaining wall of the Temple. It is what remains of the ancient temple of Solomon. And it is in the center of an open-air synagogue. Holy place par excellence.
  • Islamic Museum – The museum is dedicated to the Islamic architecture of the Temple Mount. Solomon’s Stables – The dungeons (filled with pigeons) are part of the structure of the Temple Mount built by Herod.