Dome of the Spirits

The Dome of the Spirits (Arabic: قبة الأرواح, romanized: Ḳubbat al-Arwāḥ) is a small dome resting on an octagonal base, located on the Temple Mount, in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Several theories exist concerning the name of this building; it could be associated with the proximity of the cave of the spirits or according to a legend, the souls of the dead will be gathered there for prayers.^[1]

Its other name, Dome of the Tablets, comes from the Tablets of Stone, which were said to be kept in the Ark of the Covenant.^[2]

It was built in the tenth century.^[3]

Structure and location

The Dome of the Spirits is a small octagonal dome located on the Dome of the Rock’s courtyard. It is based on eight marble columns attached to eight arches carrying the dome’s drum. This is a small dome resting on a hexagonal base.

The Dome of the Sprits is located north-west of the Dome of the Rock (Kubbat al-Sakhra) and opposite of the Bab al-Rahmah (The Gate of Mercy) in al-Aqsa enclave. It is located close to the Dome of al-Khidr.

History

It was probably built during Umayyad period because Ibn al-Faqih al-Hamadani (3-4H/9-10th century) in his Mukhtasar Kitab al-Buldan mentioned that there was a dome in al-Aqsa enclave called Kubbat Jibril (Dome of Gabriel). Then it was called Kubbat al-Ruh and Kubbat al-Arvah (Dome of the Spirits). It was probably rebuilt during the 10th century AH/16th century AC during the Ottoman period.^[4]

Name

Several theories exist concerning the name of this building. It was called the “Spirits Dome” because of its close location to a cave called the “Spirits Cave”. It could be associated with the proximity of the cave of the spirits or according to a legend, the souls of the dead will be gathered there for prayers.^[5] Its other name, the Dome of Tablets, comes from the tablets of the Stone, alleged kept in the Ark of the Covenant in Biblical tradition. The Dome of the Spirits stands above exposed bedrock on the “Temple Mount” in Jewish tradition and it is just a little lower the Foundation Stone, which is under the Dome of the Rock. Asher S. Kaufman takes the view that the Second Temple was located over the Dome of the Spirits;^[6] others disagree.^[7]

References

External links

Al-Aqsa

Prayer halls	al-Qibli (Al-Aqsa) Mosque Marwani Prayer Hall
Domes	Dome of the Ascension Dome of the Chain Dome of al-Khidr Dome of al-Khalili Dome of the Prophet Dome of the Rock Dome of the Spirits Dome of Yusuf Dome of Yusuf Agha
Fountains	Fountain of Qasim Pasha Fountain of Qayt Bay An-Nāranj Pool
Other structures	Islamic Museum Library madrasas Ashrafiyya Tankiziyya Uthmaniyya Khatuniyya
Walls and entries	Minarets al-Mawazin gates Inspector's Cotton Merchants' Chain
See also	Jerusalem Islamic Waqf Al-Aqsa is in danger Murabitat

Jewish elements

Temple	Solomon's Temple Ark of the Covenant Tabernacle Second Temple Altar Sanctuary Holy of Holies Molten Sea Solomon's Porch Temple menorah Temple treasury Warren's Gate Temple denial Tisha B'Av Replicas Holyland Model of Jerusalem Schick models of Jerusalem Third Temple
Western Wall	Little Western Wall Dung Gate The Western Wall Heritage Foundation Mughrabi Bridge Placing notes Western Stone Wilson's Arch Western Stone Western Wall Tunnel
Prayer	Kotel compromise Western Wall Commission Advocacy groups HaLiba The Temple Institute Temple Mount Faithful Platoon of the Wall Pro–Wailing Wall Committee Women for the Wall Women of the Wall
Other	Shekhinah Mercy seat Boaz and Jachin Robinson's Arch Urn for ashes of the Red Heifer

Other components

Walls	Eastern Wall Southern Wall Hall of Hewn Stones
Antiquities	Foundation Stone Acra Antonia Fortress Birket Israel Hasmonean Baris Monastery of the Virgins Pool of Raranj Ptolemaic Baris Royal Stoa Solomon's Stables Struthion Pool
Gates	Al-Mawazin Golden Gate Huldah Gates Lions' Gate Warren's Gate "Beautiful Gate"

ExcavationsConflictsSee also