Umayyad Mosque

The Umayyad Mosque (Arabic جامع بني أمية الكبير Jami ʿ Banī Umayyah al - Kabīr ) is a mosque in the Syrian capital Damascus. She is one of the oldest mosques in the world and a model for other mosques in the architectural style of the pillared hall mosque. In pre-Islamic times it was built as a cathedral dedicated to John the Baptist.

History

Prehistory

In the 4th century AD, the Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter, a Christian basilica was converted, was kept in accordance with the tradition of the head of John the Baptist. After the Arab conquest of Damascus in 636, the building was still about 70 years, both Christians and Muslims as a religious place of worship.

Time of origin

Under the Umayyad caliph Al- Walid, the basilica was demolished and between the years 708 and 715 erected the present mosque. The entire outer walls but which come from the ancient sanctuary and were not built by the Arabs. Especially on the outside of the south wall, in addition to Greek Greek inscriptions and ornaments also be seen a few meters above an antique relief with ausgekratztem face. Also preserved are several pillars of the larger ancient sanctuary outside the mosque, the most impressive of them are located on the west side.

Recent History

On May 6, 2001, Pope John Paul II prayed at the shrine of John the Baptist in the Umayyad Mosque. It was here the first visit by a pope to a mosque. This visit is still a key element of the relationship between Islam and the Catholic Church dar. Until the visit of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul by Pope Benedict XVI. In 2006 it remained the only papal visit to a mosque.

Method of construction

The mosque measures 157 × 97 meters and is part of the basilica type and reminiscent of a Christian church. She has four goals and three minarets built in different architectural styles later. The Ostminarett bears the name "Jesus Minaret ". Many Muslims believe in this place will appear at the end of the world Jesus to fight the Antichrist.

The mosque surrounds a large courtyard with three small outbuildings, the treasury, the watch house and a well house. In the Treasury of the State Treasury was stored Arab sources say - al - Walid held for no place more appropriate. Perhaps only the donations of the Islamic community were kept in the treasure house. In the sprawling, 140 -meter prayer hall, with about 45 m high Al Nissr dome ( Eagle) is a shrine, Christians and Muslims alike worship and should involve the head of John the Baptist.

The mosque is decorated with colored mosaics, which were produced by Byzantine builders. Especially the gorgeous mosaics are in the arcades that are the paradise - with golden sky and 22 different shades of green for the leaves of the trees. The oasis of Damascus represented the external expression, secular paradise. The forecourt of the Umayyadenmoschee however, should represent the court to paradise. Thus the Umayyadenkalifern staged as religious leaders - and referenced the same time on the political claim to rule as trustees of God on the believer.

In addition to the large prayer hall are still four major halls available. In one of them there is a shrine to contain the head of al-Husayn, the grandson of Muhammad. The shrine is an important pilgrimage destination for Shiites.

Immediately on the northwest corner of the mosque is the mausoleum of Sultan Saladin.

Was probably also built by al - Walid little later the Umayyad Mosque of Aleppo, but nothing of their original shape is preserved. Another mosque of this type is in Almonaster la Real in Spain.