In February 2000, our IBEX class visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where the Jewish temple once stood and Jesus and his apostles walked long ago. I described this experience the other day, but wanted to share another highlight which took place later in the semester.

Jews, Christians, and Muslims all consider the Temple Mount to be of great religious significance. Muslims view it as their third holiest site (Mecca and Medina being the top two) because tradition says their prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven here. Most are familiar with the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque on the mount. These date back to the 600s AD.

A less visible third mosque is also accessible from the Temple Mount. It’s completely underground, and is called the Al-Marwani Mosque, historically known as “Solomon’s Stables.” After Shabbat service on Saturday, April 8, 2000 we had the chance to visit this area. We were told it was a privilege to be taken down here, and that no cameras were allowed. So instead, I pulled out my notebook and made a quick sketch.

I suppose this drawing doesn’t help much. It was a large area with carpets on the floor and rows of arches. It’s the largest mosque in Israel and is said to fit up to 10,000 worshippers. While we were not allowed to take any photos, I did find this image in the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands.

Leen Ritmeyer described the area: “Below the platform at the southeast angle are huge underground vaults that are mistakenly called Solomon’s Stables… The only Herodian elements belonging to this construction are the outer walls of the Temple Mount at the southeast corner. In its middle northern part there are the conspicuous remains of a vault which appears to be the oldest element of this underground construction.” (The Quest: Revealing the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, p. 98)

Todd Bolen says “Solomon’s Stables have 88 pillars of characteristic Herodian masonry that divide the area into 12 vaulted aisles. The Crusaders incorrectly believed that this area dated from the time of Solomon, and because they stabled their horses here, they assumed that the former king did as well.  In fact, they were built by Herod only to support the plaza above it.”

This underground area served many purposes over the centuries, from structural support, to horse stable, to modern day mosque. There are still mysteries to be solved, but excavations are not allowed. A fascinating bonus spot on the Temple Mount!