Umayyad mosque (Damascus, Syria): description, history. The prophecy of the tower

Umayyad Mosque (Damascus, Syria) is one of the most majestic and old temple buildings in the world. It is also known as the Great mosque of Damascus. The value of this structure to the architectural heritage of the country is simply enormous. Its location is also symbolic. Is the Great Umayyad mosque in Damascus – the oldest city of Syria.

Historical background

The Omayyad Mosque is located in the Syrian capital – the city of Damascus. Archaeologists say that this city of about 10,000 years. In the world of ancient Damascus there is only one city of Jericho in Palestine. Damascus is the largest religious center of the Levant, and its highlight is considered the Umayyad Mosque. Levant – is the generic name for all the countries to the East of the Mediterranean, such as Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, etc.

After a visit to Damascus by the Apostle Paul in the city there is a new religious movement – Christianity. And what about Damascus is mentioned several times in the Bible, also by chance. The end of the XI century was fateful for the city. It conquered the king of the state of Israel David. Gradually Aramaic tribes in this territory began the Foundation of a new Kingdom, which then included Palestine. In 333 BC, Damascus was captured by the army of Alexander the great, and in 66 – the Roman army, after which it became a province of Syria.

Umayyad Mosque (Damascus). Chronicles

On-site construction of a mosque in the Aramaic era (about 3 thousand years ago) were the Temple of Hadad in which the Arameans worshipped regularly. Records indicate that their language was spoken by Jesus Christ. This is evidenced by the excavations, which in the North-Eastern corner of the Great mosque were found a basalt stele with the depiction of the Sphinx. In later Roman times at the same place stood the Temple of Jupiter. In the era of Byzantium by order of Emperor Theodosius, the pagan temple was destroyed and in its place was built the Church of SV. Zechariah, which was later renamed the Church of St. John the Baptist.

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It is Noteworthy that this Church was a refuge not only for Christians but also for Muslims. For 70 years the Church held worship services for the two denominations at the same time. So when the Arabs in the year 636, conquered Damascus, they spared this building. Moreover, Muslims had built a small brick outhouse to the temple from the South.

The mosque

When he ascended to the throne by the Umayyad Caliph al-Walid I, it was decided to redeem the Church from the Christians. Then it was destroyed and on its place was built the current mosque. Caliph al-Walid I planned to create the main religious building for Muslims. He wanted the building was distinguished by special architectural beauty from all Christian buildings. The fact that Syria were Christian churches, which compared favourably with the beauty and splendor. The Caliph wanted to built a mosque attracted more attention, so she had become even more beautiful. His ideas implemented the best architects and artists from the Maghreb, India, Rome and Persia. For the construction of the mosque was spent all the funds were at that time in the state Treasury. The Byzantine Emperor, as well as some Muslim rulers contributed to the building of the mosque. They provided a lot of mosaics and precious stones.

The Architecture

The Great mosque of Damascus, or Umayyad Mosque is hidden from the bustle of the city behind the massive walls. On the left side of the entrance you can see a huge wooden carriage on wheels of impressive size. Rumor has it that this military chariot, preserved from the times of Ancient Rome. Although some believe that this cart was a device to RAM during the storming of Damascus, left by Tamerlane.

Outside the gate of the mosque opens out to the spacious courtyard, paved with marble black and white slabs. The walls are made of stone. On all sides the yard was surrounded with a colonnade in the shape of a rectangle 125 feet in length and 50 meters in width. Enter the Umayyad Mosque can be from four sides through the gate. The prayer hall takes up one side, around the perimeter of the yard is surrounded by a painted vaulted gallery, richly decorated with images of the gardens of Paradise and Golden mosaics. In the center of the courtyard is a pool for ablutions fountain.

The Prophecy of the tower

Of Particular value are the minarets, which have survived almost intact. In 1488 was produced by their partial restoration. The minaret, located in the South-East, dedicated to the prophet ISA (Jesus) and bears his name. The minaret looks like a rectangular tower that looks like a pencil. This minaret is especially famous Umayyad Mosque.

The Prophecy of the tower says that before the last judgment at his second coming on this minaret will descend Jesus Christ. When He enters the mosque, you will raise the prophet Yahya. Then they both will head to Jerusalem to establish justice on Earth. That's why every day at the place where allegedly set foot on the Saviour lay new carpet. Opposite the minaret of Jesus is the minaret of the Bride or al-Association of Russian cleaning companies. On the West side is a minaret of the al-gharbia governorate, which was built in the XV century.

Internalthe decoration of the mosque

The inner courtyard Facade of the mosque is covered with multicolored marbles. Some parts are decorated with mosaics and gilded. Long enough all this beauty hid a thick layer of plaster, and only in 1927 thanks to the skillful restorers it became available for contemplation.

The Interior of the mosque is not less beautiful. The walls are inlaid with marble and the floor to stretch the carpet. In total, there are more than five thousand. The prayer hall has an impressive size. Its length is 136 meters, width – 37 meters. All of it is covered with wooden flooring, the perimeter of the towering Corinthian columns. The center of the room is painted four pillars supporting the huge dome. Of particular value are the paintings and mosaics on the columns.

Tomb of Yahya

The South side of the prayer hall mihrab is a four. One of the main shrines of the mosque – the tomb of Hussein Ibn Ali, who according to legend was the grandson of the prophet Muhammad, is located in the Eastern side of the courtyard. The entrance to the relic is hidden behind a small door in the courtyard. The tomb is in the chapel Hussein. According to legend, the grandson of the prophet was killed in the battle of Karbala in 681. The severed head of Hussain presented to the Governor of Syria, who ordered to hang it on the very spot where once hung the head of John the Baptist by order of king Herod. Legend has it that the birds then began to publish a sad trill and all the people tirelessly cried. The Governor repented and gave the order to enclose the head in a gold tomb and place it in the crypt, which later turned into mosques. Muslims claim that the tomb also find a hair of prophet Muhammad which he circumcised, when was the last time I visited Mecca.

The tomb of John the Baptist

Also in the prayer hall is the tomb with the head of John the Baptist. When he laid the foundations of the mosque builders were discovered grave. According to the Syrian Christians, it was the burial of John the Baptist. Caliph Walid Ibn gave the order to leave the tomb at the same place. Thus it was in the center of the prayer hall. A white marble tomb surrounded by niches of green glass, through which you can put a note to the prophet Yahya or to give him a gift. According to Archimandrite Alexander elisava, the tomb is only part of the head of John the Baptist. The remaining parts of the relics are hidden in Athos, Amiens and in the Church of Pope Sylvester in Rome.

To the North of the mosque there is a small garden in which is the tomb of Salah ad-DIN.

Test

Like any other Shrine, the Umayyad Mosque has passed through many trials. Parts of it burned a few times. The mosque suffered from natural disasters. In 1176, 1200 and 1759 the city was collapsing the earthquake. After the end of the reign of the Umayyad dynasty in Syria several times made devastating raids of the Mongols, Seljuks and the Ottomans. Despite all the difficulties, the only construction which would quickly sostavlyalo and pleasing to his parishioners, was the Umayyad Mosque. Syria to this day boasts the indestructible power of this unique monument of culture.

The Rules of staying in the mosque

Umayyad Mosque (Damascus) – a welcoming place for people of all faiths. Parishioners do not feel wronged, on the contrary, they are quite uninhibited. Here you can see those who perform namaz, those who read the Scriptures. You can just sit and enjoy the Holiness of this place, you can even lie down. Sometimes you can find even sleeping people. The attendants of the mosque, are all democratic, no one is thrown out and not condemn. Children love to skate on the marble of the polished floor. Tourists for a small fee you can visit the Umayyad Mosque (Syria) on any day except Friday. At the entrance to the mosque must remove their shoes. It can give custody to the Ministers for an additional fee or to carry. For women there is a special garment in the form of black capes, which is also issued at the entrance. Note that in Syria, almost always very hot, so the marble floors of the mosque at times is heated to the limit. Barefoot on such a surface is almost impossible to move, so it's best to bring your socks.

Muslims from all over the world try at least once to visit the Umayyad Mosque (Syria). In Damascus it is the most crowded place.