Architecture-Building & Construction

Located in the cradle of civilization, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates are home to historic temples and mosques, exquisite mosaics, and innovative modern construction. It's unlikely that you will want to travel to Iraq during these times of war, and you may want to exercise caution when undertaking a journey to other Middle Eastern countries. However, you can begin to explore the great buildings and monuments of the Middle East today via these photos and resources.


The Dome of the Rock Mosque in Jerusalem is the
oldest surviving example of Islamic architecture

Built in the seventh century,... the Dome of the Rock Mosque is the oldest surviving example of Islamic architecture and today remains one of the most beautiful. The outside of the mosque is octagonal, with a door and 7 windows on each side, while the inside is circular. The building is made of marble and richly decorated with tile, mosaics, gilded wood, and painted stucco. The mosque's builders and artisans came from many different regions and incorporated their individual techniques and styles into the final design. The dome is made of gold and stretches 20 meters in diameter.

The Dome of the Rock Mosque gets its name from the massive rock located at its center, upon which, according to Islamic history, the prophet Muhammad stood before he ascended to heaven. This rock is equally important in the Judaic tradition, which considers it the symbolic foundation upon which the world was built and the place of the Binding of Isaac.