Kursi Suleiman (Station of King Solomon)

By the Editors of the Madain Project

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The Kursi Suleiman (قبة كرسي سليمان), also known as the mausoleum or Tomb of prophet Suleyman, is located in the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) along the eastern wall It is also known as the Kursi-i Suleiman (the chair of Solomon) or the foot-stool of Solomon. Another structure, Dome of Solomon, on the north side of the Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount) is also labeled as the Throne of Solomon or the Kursi Suleiman.

Overview

This is most likely a memorial that was probably built to commemorate the Prophet Suleyman (biblical Solomon). It is located within the plaza of Haram al-Sharif, which supports its eastern wall. Kursi (الكرسي), which means chair, is an odd name for a building, and possibly relates to the spur of the Rock against which it is erected. The building itself is undated, but is clearly a mid-16th century foundation, as the shape of the two shallow domes covering the building are associated with the Ottoman period.

Architecture

circa 900 BCE

Exterior
The facade of Solomon's (Suleyman) tomb in al-Aqsa Compound, Jerusalem. Additionally, a cavetto frieze situated above the mihrab is identical to one found over the mihrab in the al-'Imara al-'Amira complex (959/1552), suggesting that Kursi Sulayman (the 'throne of Solomon') was built around that time. The building has three facades visible from the Temple Mount and the eastern facade is integrated in the eastern wall of Haram al-Sharif compound. A marble slab (inspect) over the main northern entrance to the structure reads the first verse of Surah Isra mentioning the Night Journey of prophet Muhammad.

circa 900 BCE

Interior
The building has a large hall divided into different areas, one of which is the prayer area with a mihrab. It is surmounted by two shallow domes. The hall also includes a symbolic tomb which might allude to the tomb of Suleyman or his throne. The building is presently used as an institute for Hadith (دار الحديث في المسجد الأقصى).

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References

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