While often conflated with the Dome of the Rock, the al-Aqsa Dome specifically refers to the roof structure that covers the main prayer hall of the mosque and is distinct both historically and architecturally from the iconic gold-plated Dome of the Rock situated nearby.

Dome of al-Aqsa is the lead sheeted dome over al-Aqsa mosque. It is one of the several domes on Haram al-Sharif.

Architecturally, the dome is emblematic of the Umayyad and later Islamic stylistic traditions, blending functional roofing with symbolic representation of the heavens, a motif common in early Islamic sacred architecture.

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The al-Aqsa Mosque was initially constructed in the early Islamic period, shortly after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 637 CE under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. The first substantial building of the mosque is traditionally attributed to the Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik (reigned 685–705 CE) and his son al-Walid I (reigned 705–715 CE), who were also responsible for commissioning the Dome of the Rock. The earliest historical accounts, including those preserved in the writings of al-Waqidi and later chroniclers such as al-Muqaddasi, suggest that the initial structure underwent considerable renovations due to damage from earthquakes in 746 and 1033 CE.

In the 11th century CE, under the Fatimid Caliphate, the mosque experienced additional reconstruction, including reinforcement of the dome, following extensive earthquake damage. Notably, the Crusader occupation (1099–1187 CE) saw the mosque repurposed as a palace and a church, and it was only after Saladin’s reconquest in 1187 CE that it was restored to its function as a Muslim house of worship. The Mamluk period (13th–16th centuries CE) further transformed the dome, introducing structural and decorative features consistent with contemporary Islamic architecture, including stone reinforcements and intricate interior decoration. Subsequent Ottoman interventions in the 16th and 17th centuries CE addressed both restoration after seismic damage and maintenance of the dome’s structural integrity, with inscriptions from Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent’s era indicating renovation efforts.

In 1969 CE, the dome was reconstructed in concrete and covered with anodized aluminum, instead of the original ribbed lead enamel work sheeting.

Again in 1983 CE, the aluminum outer covering was replaced with lead to match the original design by az-Zahir. The program of this extensive conservation began with the damaged dome and its paintings.

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Jameh al-Qibli
The dome is essentially part of a smaller section of the larger mosque, called the al-Qibli mosque. The interior of the dome is painted with 14th-century CE era decorations. Beneath the dome is the al-Qibli Chapel (Arabic: المصلى القبلي‎ al-Musalla al-Qibli); also known as al-Jami' al-Qibli (الجامع القِبْلي)‎, a Muslim prayer hall, located in the southern part of the mosque. al-Aqsa's dome is one of the few domes to be built in front of the mihrab during the Umayyad and Abbasid periods, the others being the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus (715 CE) and the Great Mosque of Sousse (850 CE).

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Exterior
The dome of the al-Aqsa Mosque is hemispherical, constructed primarily from timber and covered externally with lead sheeting, a material choice reflecting multiple restorations over centuries that replaced earlier wooden shingles. It rests on a square base, with pendentives facilitating the transition from the square prayer hall to the circular dome—a structural technique derived from Byzantine architectural influence and adapted by early Islamic builders. The external profile of the dome is comparatively modest relative to the gilded Dome of the Rock, but it achieves visual prominence through proportional placement atop the main prayer hall. Over successive periods, including the Mamluk and Ottoman eras, the exterior has been reinforced with iron tie rods and additional structural supports to enhance resilience against seismic activity, while preserving its historical silhouette.

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Dome-interior
A great portion of the mosque is covered with whitewash, but the drum of the dome and the walls immediately beneath it are decorated with mosaics and marble. The 14th-century painted decorations of the dome interior, thought to be irreparably lost, were brought to light and completely reconstructed using the trateggio technique, a method that uses fine vertical lines to distinguish reconstructed areas from original ones.

Internally, the dome is supported by a combination of piers and arches that allow a spacious, unobstructed prayer hall beneath. The inner surface is adorned with painted and carved motifs, including vegetal patterns, geometric designs, and Quranic inscriptions, reflecting the stylistic contributions of the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. The pendentives that connect the dome to the square base are also decorated, enhancing the sense of continuity between structural function and aesthetic articulation. Timber elements are occasionally visible, underlying the lead-covered shell, and periodic restorations have ensured the dome’s integrity without compromising the historical character of the interior space. The overall design communicates both spiritual symbolism—representing the heavens above the prayer hall—and practical architectural solutions to support a large, open interior conducive to congregational worship.