They are located in the eastern end of the Rock’s nave, which is in the middle of Al-Aqsa Mosque. They were probably built in the Umayyad era, and rebuilt in the Abbasid period, in the 10th century, that is the 4th Hijri century. They are the largest arches around the Rock’s nave. They overlook the western slopes of the Mount of Olives and its ramparts on stones, no inscription on them. They were mentioned by Nasser Khasru in his visit to Jerusalem 438 AH / 1047 AD, where he said: ((Also on the eastern side a great road similar, Columns above it are hoops and a balcony and is called the eastern shrine, Al-'Umari points out that the two approaches, from its five entries, closed and remained until 1945 when the Council the Islamic Supreme Council opened all the entrances and reconstructed the stairs that had become of twenty-five Stairs instead of thirty-six Stairs of Al-'Umari age.
The Eastern Arches
The Eastern Arches consist of two huge rocks and 4 marble cylindrical pillars. The reach the eastern court of the Rock’s nave, by 25 steps. They are 6.5 meters high.
- Built by
- The Umayyad and the Abbasids renewed them
- Era
- Umayyad
- Place
- Al-Aqsa Mosque
Arches
Other landmarks in the same category
All (8)The Northeastern Arches
They are two great arches from the sides and two cylindrical columns in the center, with 7 meters height, the arches are located on the eastern side of Al-Aqsa Mosque and specifically the northern end of the Dome of the Rock.
Northern Arches
The Northern Arches are located on the road that links Sharaf Al-Anbiya’a Gate with the Rock’s nave.
Northwestern Arches
The Northwestern Arches consist of two big rocks on the sides and 3 cylindrical pillars in the middle. Its stone ladder has 23 steps. The arches are 7 meters high.
The Western Arches
The Western Arches consist of two huge rocks and 3 cylindrical pillars in the middle. They have 24 steps that lead to the Rock’s nave from the western court of the mosque.
The Southwestern Arches
They are two great rocks in the sides and two marble pillars in the middle. They are 7 meters high and are connected to a stone staircase which consists of twenty-four steps. There is a small niche in the wall.
The Southern Arches
The Southern Arches are located towards Al-Qibli Mosque and lead to the Ka’as in the middle of the southern side of the Rock’s nave.
The Southeastern Arches
The arches consist of two huge rocks in the sides, and two marble cylindrical pillars in the middle. They have 19 stone steps. They are about 6.5 - 7 meters high.