Tour & Explore
A RESOURCE PAGE
Basic Map
The summit of biblical Mount Zion (also called Mount Moriah) is under the Dome of the Rock today. This is where the Ark of the Covenant rested in the Holy of Holies. A common mistake is to conflate the black-domed Al-Aqsa Mosque with the golden domed monument. Over the First and Second Temple periods, the mountain was boxed-in with retaining walls like a sandbox and filled in to make it flatter. The Western Wall is one of these retaining walls, which in itself was not technically holy to the Temple. Some of the Mount is hollow, like the famous "Solomon's Stables," which was originally the passageway from the Southern Steps onto the Mount. The Golden Gate and others are sealed off. Ten gates from the Old City are in use today. Currently, nine of them are exclusively for Muslims with minimal security, and the Hallel Gate (Mugrabi) is the only one accessible to non-Muslims at limited hours with thorough security checks.
Explore the Second Temple in 3D
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Experience the first century temple period like never before with this in-depth, interactive 3D re-creation of the Second Temple based on historical archaeology, and Jewish sources.
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This is the most advanced 3D recreation to date, includes accurate underground passageways to explore and links to interactive historical sources throughout. Support the project for future improvements and updates.
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Ascending the Mount
The Temple Mount is open to non-Muslims, Sunday–Thursday, 7:30–11:00 AM, and 1:30-2:30 PM. These hours may be subject to change on Muslim holidays and Ramadan.
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Ascending Zion, God's Holy Mountain, is an immensely meaningful and spiritual experience. But, it does require some practical planning. Consult this guide before ascending.
Virtual Tours
Tour with Bible Enthusiasts Sergio & Rhoda
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Archaeology at the Temple Mount is strictly forbidden. However, over the past hundred years, the Temple Mount went through many renovations, during which archaeologists were able to document incredible findings. These findings and much more we reveal in this video. We will enter the Temple Mount through the Moors Gate, walk to the Dome of the Rock and examine where the Ark of the Covenant could have stood, see the Golden Gate, and then peak into the archives of the Al-Aqsa mosque to find out what lies underneath it. So join us for this adventure as we explore the Temple Mount.
Tour with Temple Mount Expert Yisrael Medad
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Yisrael Medad is an Israeli journalist and author. He was the former director of Educational Programming and Information resources at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. He has served as a parliamentary aide to Knesset member Geula Cohen, and as an Adviser of International Affairs to cabinet minister Yuval Ne'eman. Medad has been profiled in the BBC and Haaretz and his work has appeared in the LA Times, Jerusalem Post, and Herald Tribune.
Explore the Southern Steps with Temple Expert Joseph Good
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Doron Keidar and Joseph Good examine important archaeological evidence surrounding the Temple Mount, evidence that seriously questions popular ideas of an alternate Temple location. Joseph Good has dedicated some four decades to the study of the Temple Mount from Jewish, Christian, historical, and archeological sources. He is a leading non-Jewish voice on all Temple related topics.
Recommended Guide Books
We recommend the following guide books of the material available. Note that Cry For Zion does not endorse every particular of these resources.
Jerusalem -The Temple Mount
A CARTA GUIDE BOOK
Leen & Kathleen Ritmeyer
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The first modern guide to theTemple Mount for visitors of all religions. The authoritative text of JERUSALEM: THE TEMPLE MOUNT contains priceless information and is richly documented with detailed maps, plans and stunningly evocative reconstructive illustrations.
Arise and Ascend: A Guide to the Temple Mount
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This book, written by Dr. Meir Antopolsky, is researched from historical, archaeological, religious, and Biblical perspectives. It leads visitors on a self-guided walking tour in a path that Rabbi Yehudah Glick says is intended to preserve the sanctity of the Temple Mount. Included are maps, timelines and color photos, and the book cites scholastic as well as Biblical and Talmudic sources. The text draws from historical accounts, archaeological records and scriptural verses to reconstruct the site as it was in the past and to explain its present condition.
