Dome of the Rock – Israel
One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world rises above the skyline of Jerusalem: the magnificent Dome of the Rock. Its brilliant golden dome can be seen from many vantage points across the Old City, making it one of the most enduring symbols of Jerusalem.
The structure stands on a hill known as the Temple Mount, a site that has held deep religious significance for thousands of years. For Muslim, the Dome of the Rock marks the place where the Prophet Muhammad is to have ascended to heaven during the Night Journey. Because of this connection, this side is one of the most sacred locations in Islam.
The building itself dates to the 7th century and was completed around 691. Unlike a traditional mosque, the Dome of the Rock was designed as a shrine built to enclose the sacred rock at its center. Its striking octagonal structure is decorated with intricate tilework.
The golden dome sits above the rock that has long been revered in several religious traditions. In Jewish history, this site is associated with the location of the ancient First and Second Temples of Jerusalem, making it one of the holiest places in Judaism. For Christians, Jerusalem and the events connected to the hill remain central to the story of their faith.
Few places in the work carry such a deep concentration of history, faith and cultural significance. This shining dome had remained one of the most powerful and recognizable features of Jerusalem and it stands as an enduring monument for more than thirteen centuries.
Read More From Nancy
Normandy Cliffs and American Cemetery – France
There are few places more memorable to me than our visit to Normandy. No movie, photograph or history book could prepare us for the vastness of this coastline or the weight it still carries. It is impossible not to feel the immensity of what happened across these beaches on June 6, 1944. We started at […]
Tracks into Auschwitz – Poland
There is much we can share, and I will eventually, about visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau, but for now, I will talk about these tracks. They stretch forward in a straight line, disappearing through the gate and into the camp. It is a simple image, steel rails and gravel. But standing there carries a weight that is difficult […]
Gothic Barcelona Cathedral – Spain
Standing before the towering walls of Barcelona Cathedral, the structure reminds us of just how ambitious medieval builders dared to be. The construction of the cathedral began in 1298, during Barcelona’s golden age as a Mediterranean trading power. What we walked through today is largely the product of more than 150 years of work. The main Gothic body […]
