Temple Mount

Jerusalem, Israel

Found in Jerusalem’s old town, the Temple Mount is considered the holiest site in the world for Jewish believers and simultaneously the third holiest for Muslims after Mecca and Medina. It is one of the most contested religious sites in the world and causes great tension between Jews and Muslims.

Biblically, it was where Abraham offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, while in Muslim tradition it is where the Prophet Mohammed made his “Night Journey” to the throne of God.

As things stand, Jews and Christians can visit the Temple Mount, but only as tourists (never for religious reasons or to pray) and only at specific times. Moreover, only Muslims are permitted into the Dome of the Rock, the gold-topped Islamic shrine you can see in most of the pictures, as well as into the Al-Aqsa Mosque which you can see in the final photo.