Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock is the third holiest site for Muslims. It is on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and I think it's a really cool looking octagonal building. The dome itself is covered in gold leafing and the outside of the building is covered in intricate tiled patterns. Most mosques face toward Mecca, but this one has a beautiful dome to draw attention to heaven. Muslims believe Abraham was going to sacrifice Ishmael not Isaac. This mosque was built to commemorate that event. This rock is also the place where they believe Mohammed ascended to heaven for a day.

Visitors are not currently allowed in the building, but I was able to go inside the last time I was there (in 2000). It's a pretty building inside. I stood in line forever to get to this place where you put your arm into a little box-like thing near the floor and you can touch the rock itself...it was a little anticlimactic. It just felt like any other rock, except coated with the germs of the last million visitors. If you want to feel the spirit of the story of Abraham and Isaac you'd do well to read the scriptures rather than touch this rock. At least in my opinion. I'm sure some have gone there and had wonderful spiritual experiences. But for me some of these sites just felt dead or empty and left me longing for the living spirit I am blessed to know.