Dome of the Ascension
The Dome of the Ascension ( "Qubbat al-Miraj") is a small Islamic free-standing domed structure built by the Umayyads that stands just north the Dome of the Rock on al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem. The Dome of the Ascension is a free-standing dome that commemorates the Islamic prophet Muhammad's ascension to heaven, according to Islamic tradition. It is located just north the Dome of the Rock. History. The original edifice was probably built by either the Ummayads or the Abbasids (sometime between 7th-10th centuries AD). However, the current edifice was built by the  Ayyubid governor of Jerusalem, Izz ad-Din az-Zanjili in 1200 from Crusader construction materials. The Dome’s accurate year of construction and its founder’s name remain unknown; it was renovated by Prince Ezz Adin Ottoman bin Ali Az-Zanjabily, the Governor of Jerusalem, during the Ayoubi King Al-Adel’s reign in 597 AH/1200 AC. An Arabic inscription dated to 1200-1 describes it as renovated and rededicated as a waqf. The structure and, notably, the column capitals are of Frankish style and construction, but some repair or renovation was done in or after the Ayyubid dynasty period . Architecture. The Dome of the Ascension is a small octagonal dome based on 30 marble columns; the open space between the columns was later sealed using marble slabs. In the past, the dome was covered with lead sheets, but they were recently replaced by white stone plates. Today, the dome is covered with marble slabs between the marble columns that keep it standing and there is an entrance door on the north side of the structure. There is a mihrab in the southern part of the dome.The Dome has a niche pointing towards the Qibla, and its main entrance  is located on its northern side. What makes this Dome stand out is the smaller dome on top of it that looks like a crown or a mini-gazebo. Its architectural style can be defined as Ummayad or Abbasid although its current edifice is Ayyubid and construction materials are from the Crusaders. Religious of Significance. The Dome of the Ascension is part of the Muslim prayer-route. Although called "Dome of the Ascension" in Arabic, and said by Arabic tradition to mark the spot from which Muhammad ascended to Heaven during his "Night Journey," it is understood by some scholars  as having been built as part of the Christian "Templum Domini", probably as a baptistry.