A brilliant piece of architecture, the Omayyad Mosque is one of the most significant and important Islamic structures in Damascus.
History of the Mosque
The site where the Omayyad Mosque stands today, had a temple called Hadad Aramaic Temple about three thousand years ago. The Syrians, at that time, used to worship Hadad, the god of lightening and storms. Later, during the era when Damascus was ruled by the Romans, the temple was converted into a Roman temple.
By the end of 4th century BC, the Hadad Temple was turned into a church. When Khaled Ben Al Waleed, a Muslim leader, invaded Damascus, the church was partially converted into a mosque. Therefore, the Omayyad Mosque served as a place of worship for Christians as well as Muslims.
The mosque was completely converted into an Islamic masjid during the Omayyad period in Damascus. But when the caliph, Abdul Malek bin Marwan, reconstructed the mosque, he kept the relics of the Roman Temple intact. Thus, the mosque consists of various aspects of the church even now.
Architectural Symbol
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The Omayyad Mosque in Damascus is a prominent symbol of the long history of the land. It incorporates significant traits of Islamic architecture. It’s therefore important from the historical point of view as well as from the architectural point of view.
The mosque has several entrances and a number of interesting features. As one approaches the mosque, one is struck by the monumental gate that opens onto the courtyard. An impressive section of the mosque is the mausoleum of Salah ad-Din including a fountain and a courtyard.
Visitors have to take off their shoes before entering the main courtyard of the Omayyad Mosque. This part of the mosque comprises three domes and several minarets. The mosaic on the walls of the mosque form one of the highlighting features of the Omayyad Mosque.
The prayer hall is another significant aspect of the mosque. The floor inside the hall is covered with carpets.
Omayyad Mosque is situated in Old City in Damascus. The location of the Omayyad Mosque makes it easily reachable by public transports from any part of the city. The entire facade of the mosque as well as the interiors features intricate designs from Islamic architecture and are extremely impressive. The mosque is an outstanding piece of Islamic architecture.
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