The Esplanade of the Mosques, also known as the Temple Mount, is a religious site of great historical and cultural importance in the Old City of Jerusalem. With an area of approximately 15 hectares, this site is considered sacred by three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

For Jews, the Esplanade of the Mosques is the holiest place in Judaism, as it is believed to be the site where God created the first man, Adam, and where Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. According to Jewish tradition, the Temple Mount is the site of the First Temple, built by King Solomon, and the Second Temple, rebuilt after the destruction of the first Temple by the Babylonians.

For Muslims, the Esplanade of the Mosques is the third holiest place in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad arrived here on his night journey from Mecca, known as the Isra and Miraj, and that he ascended to heaven from there. The Dome of the Rock, an Islamic temple built in the center of the mountain platform, marks the place where Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven.

The Temple Mount is also sacred to Christians, as it is believed to be the site where Jesus preached and where the Second Temple was located at the time of his death and resurrection.

The Esplanade of the Mosques is a site of great architectural and scenic beauty. In addition to the Dome of the Rock, the site also houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in the world and has a rich history and impressive architecture.

In addition to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Esplanade of the Mosques has several gardens and fountains, including the Four Corners Fountain, which originally received water from Bethlehem. There are also several subway cisterns that were used to store rainwater in the past.

The Esplanade of the Mosques is a site of great importance for peace and understanding between different cultures and religions. Despite the conflicts and tensions that have surrounded this site throughout history, it remains a place of pilgrimage and devotion for millions of people from all over the world.

Photographs by אסף.צ, Sustructu, David Shankbone.