AL-AQSA MOSQUE

The Dome of the Rock was built in around 690 AD, while Al-Aqsa mosque was built 20 years later around 710 AD. In the 11th century during the Crusaders times, the Crusader kings converted Al-Aqsa mosque to a royal palace. In the 12th century, it became the headquarter of the Knights of Templar. Later in the 12th century, Sultan Saladin took it, followed by Mamluks in the mid 14th century.

Today Muslims, or more precisely the Waqf – the Supreme Muslim Religious Council, manage the Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque, while the City of Jerusalem is under Israeli governance.

The entrance to the Temple Mountain for non-Muslims is from the wooden Mughrabi Bridge next to the Western Wall.